James Karen (born Jacob Karnofsky; November 28, 1923 â€" October 23,
2018) was an American character actor of Broadway, film and
television. Karen was best known for his roles in Poltergeist, The
Return of the Living Dead, Invaders from Mars, and in The Pursuit of
Happyness.Karen was also known for his recurring television role as
Tom Bradford's boss, Eliot Randolph, in Eight Is Enough. He appeared
in commercials for Pathmark which earned his nickname "Mr. Pathmark".
He was nominated for a Saturn Award for his 1985 role in The Return of
the Living Dead. He also appeared in an episode of ‘Cheers’ as
Frasier's mentor and the father of Carla's sixth child.Karen was born
Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, in northeastern Pennsylvania, the son
of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Mae (née Freed) and Joseph H.
Karnofsky, a produce dealer.
2018) was an American character actor of Broadway, film and
television. Karen was best known for his roles in Poltergeist, The
Return of the Living Dead, Invaders from Mars, and in The Pursuit of
Happyness.Karen was also known for his recurring television role as
Tom Bradford's boss, Eliot Randolph, in Eight Is Enough. He appeared
in commercials for Pathmark which earned his nickname "Mr. Pathmark".
He was nominated for a Saturn Award for his 1985 role in The Return of
the Living Dead. He also appeared in an episode of ‘Cheers’ as
Frasier's mentor and the father of Carla's sixth child.Karen was born
Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, in northeastern Pennsylvania, the son
of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Mae (née Freed) and Joseph H.
Karnofsky, a produce dealer.
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