Barney Martin Died - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Seinatra · 03-24-2005, 06:38 PM

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...tv/obit_martin

LOS ANGELES - Barney Martin, a former New York City detective who went into show business and became best known for playing Jerry Seinfeld's father Morty on the comedian's hit television series, has died. He was 82.

Martin died of cancer Monday at his Studio City home, according to his publicist, Jennifer Glassman.

Born March 3, 1923, in the New York City borough of Queens, Martin served as a navigator in the Air Force during World War II before starting a 20-year career as a New York City police detective.

Martin showed a talent for making deputy police commissioners laugh during presentations. In the 1950s, he began writing on the side for comedy shows such as "Name That Tune" and "The Steve Allen Show."

Martin got his start in film when Mel Brooks (news) featured him in "The Producers" in 1968. That role launched Martin into Broadway theater, where he appeared in several musicals, including "South Pacific," "The Fantasticks," All American" and "How Now Dow Jones."

He is credited with creating the role of Roxy's unappreciated husband, Amos Hart, in the musical "Chicago."

Martin also appeared in several television series in the 1990s, including "The Tony Randall Show," "US," "Sydney" and "Zorro and Son."

In "Seinfeld," Martin was the third actor to play the part of Seinfeld's father and became the one most identified with the role of the Florida retiree.

He said at the show's wrap party in 1998: "Playing Jerry's dad was like having whipped cream on top of a mountain of ice cream."

He is survived by his wife and son. A daughter died in 2002 of cancer

On Edit - The thrid actor to play Jerry's father??

barwars · 03-24-2005, 07:37 PM

Woah. Totally unexpected. RIP.

rusyd · 03-24-2005, 09:52 PM

I heard about the news on the radio today. How sad. # Dad signing off- Rest in Peace.

Chain Gang Member · 03-25-2005, 03:45 PM

Eventhough Frank Costanza was funnier,Morty Seinfeld was entertaining too

musicradio77 · 03-25-2005, 05:21 PM

From the Daily News:

Seinfeld's dad on TV Dies at 82

BY TRACY CONNOR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

New York cop-turned-actor Barney Martin, who played Jerry Seinfeld's penny-pinching father, Morty, on television, has died of cancer. He was 82. To TV audiences, the Queens native was best known as a Florida condo owner, king of the early-bird special, and inventor of a beltless trenchcoat.

But long before Martin appeared in the hit comedy series "Seinfeld," he was a war veteran, a police detective and a Broadway song-and-dance man.

Born March 3, 1923, he served as an Army Air Corps navigator during World War II, then joined the NYPD, rising to the rank of detective.

During his 20 years in blue, he realized he had a knack for making people laugh - the brass used to ask him to punch up their speeches - and he began moonlighting as a comedy writer.

He broke into the movies with a part in Mel Brooks' "The Producers," then hit the boards on the Great White Way, where he appeared in musicals such as "South Pacific" and "Chicago." In 1981, he played Liza Minnelli's pop in "Arthur."

When the producers of "Seinfeld" started looking for someone to play Jerry's dad on the show, the Irish-Catholic ex-cop wasn't considered a shoo-in.

"They really didn't want to audition me," he said in 1998. "They just let me read a couple of lines."

But he got the job and was part of some of the show's most memorable episodes. His favorite was the one where he and Kramer plan to go into business together hawking "The Executive," a raincoat without a belt.

In fact, he wore the garment to the show's wrap party in 1998, where he told reporters: "Playing Jerry's dad was like having whipped cream on top of a mountain of ice cream."

Martin, who is survived by his wife and son, died at home in Studio City, Calif.

IGNTBone · 03-26-2005, 01:20 AM

That totally sucks... Even without Seinfeld, I always thought he was a great character actor. RIP.

slackermonkey · 03-28-2005, 07:10 PM

RIP Morty.

Maestro · 04-02-2005, 01:55 AM

Thanks for the laughs.
RIP

T-Greg · 04-07-2005, 04:49 PM

RIP. One of his best lines was "They think we're in kahoots!" from "The Cadillac" episode. That always cracks me up.

Schmoopie · 09-07-2008, 02:51 AM

I feel like a complete idiot responding to this but I swear that this is the first I am reading about Barney's death! Wow, I can't believe it's been three years and I had no idea that this had happened! How very sad! I loved him as Morty!

Andrea

catlover79 · 09-07-2008, 11:32 AM

He also did an awesome guest appearance on Barney Miller in 1982. He was a very cool guy.

tv star collector · 09-07-2008, 06:54 PM

A great character actor with a very likable personality. I remember him from
the guest appearance on Barney Miller, his recurring role on Valerie
Bertinelli's short-lived sitcom Sydney, and his role as Michael Landon's
father in the TV pilot "Us" (which was never picked up as a series because
Michael died of pancreatic cancer). I probably saw him on some other shows,
but those are the ones I remember.

03-24-2005, 06:38 PM	#16
Seinatra Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,840	Some Additional Info http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...tv/obit_martin LOS ANGELES - Barney Martin, a former New York City detective who went into show business and became best known for playing Jerry Seinfeld's father Morty on the comedian's hit television series, has died. He was 82. Martin died of cancer Monday at his Studio City home, according to his publicist, Jennifer Glassman. Born March 3, 1923, in the New York City borough of Queens, Martin served as a navigator in the Air Force during World War II before starting a 20-year career as a New York City police detective. Martin showed a talent for making deputy police commissioners laugh during presentations. In the 1950s, he began writing on the side for comedy shows such as "Name That Tune" and "The Steve Allen Show." Martin got his start in film when Mel Brooks (news) featured him in "The Producers" in 1968. That role launched Martin into Broadway theater, where he appeared in several musicals, including "South Pacific," "The Fantasticks," All American" and "How Now Dow Jones." He is credited with creating the role of Roxy's unappreciated husband, Amos Hart, in the musical "Chicago." Martin also appeared in several television series in the 1990s, including "The Tony Randall Show," "US," "Sydney" and "Zorro and Son." In "Seinfeld," Martin was the third actor to play the part of Seinfeld's father and became the one most identified with the role of the Florida retiree. He said at the show's wrap party in 1998: "Playing Jerry's dad was like having whipped cream on top of a mountain of ice cream." He is survived by his wife and son. A daughter died in 2002 of cancer On Edit - The thrid actor to play Jerry's father??

03-25-2005, 03:45 PM	#19
Chain Gang Member 1st Female Triple Crown Champ Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Watching Three's Company & Wrestling Posts: 8,927	Eventhough Frank Costanza was funnier,Morty Seinfeld was entertaining too
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03-25-2005, 05:21 PM	#20
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	Seinfeld's dad on TV Dies at 82 From the Daily News: Seinfeld's dad on TV Dies at 82 BY TRACY CONNOR DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER New York cop-turned-actor Barney Martin, who played Jerry Seinfeld's penny-pinching father, Morty, on television, has died of cancer. He was 82. To TV audiences, the Queens native was best known as a Florida condo owner, king of the early-bird special, and inventor of a beltless trenchcoat. But long before Martin appeared in the hit comedy series "Seinfeld," he was a war veteran, a police detective and a Broadway song-and-dance man. Born March 3, 1923, he served as an Army Air Corps navigator during World War II, then joined the NYPD, rising to the rank of detective. During his 20 years in blue, he realized he had a knack for making people laugh - the brass used to ask him to punch up their speeches - and he began moonlighting as a comedy writer. He broke into the movies with a part in Mel Brooks' "The Producers," then hit the boards on the Great White Way, where he appeared in musicals such as "South Pacific" and "Chicago." In 1981, he played Liza Minnelli's pop in "Arthur." When the producers of "Seinfeld" started looking for someone to play Jerry's dad on the show, the Irish-Catholic ex-cop wasn't considered a shoo-in. "They really didn't want to audition me," he said in 1998. "They just let me read a couple of lines." But he got the job and was part of some of the show's most memorable episodes. His favorite was the one where he and Kramer plan to go into business together hawking "The Executive," a raincoat without a belt. In fact, he wore the garment to the show's wrap party in 1998, where he told reporters: "Playing Jerry's dad was like having whipped cream on top of a mountain of ice cream." Martin, who is survived by his wife and son, died at home in Studio City, Calif.
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03-28-2005, 07:10 PM	#22
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	RIP Morty.
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09-07-2008, 02:51 AM	#25
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I feel like a complete idiot responding to this but I swear that this is the first I am reading about Barney's death! Wow, I can't believe it's been three years and I had no idea that this had happened! How very sad! I loved him as Morty! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

03-24-2005, 07:37 PM	#17
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Woah. Totally unexpected. RIP.

03-24-2005, 09:52 PM	#18
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	I heard about the news on the radio today. How sad. # Dad signing off- Rest in Peace.

03-26-2005, 01:20 AM	#21
IGNTBone Member Senior Member Join Date: May 03, 2000 Location: Tequesta, FL Posts: 1,201	That totally sucks... Even without Seinfeld, I always thought he was a great character actor. RIP.

04-02-2005, 01:55 AM	#23
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	Thanks for the laughs. RIP

04-07-2005, 04:49 PM	#24
T-Greg Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,713	RIP. One of his best lines was "They think we're in kahoots!" from "The Cadillac" episode. That always cracks me up.

09-07-2008, 11:32 AM	#26
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	He also did an awesome guest appearance on Barney Miller in 1982. He was a very cool guy.
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09-07-2008, 06:54 PM	#27
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	A great character actor with a very likable personality. I remember him from the guest appearance on Barney Miller, his recurring role on Valerie Bertinelli's short-lived sitcom Sydney, and his role as Michael Landon's father in the TV pilot "Us" (which was never picked up as a series because Michael died of pancreatic cancer). I probably saw him on some other shows, but those are the ones I remember.