Joseph Isaac "Joe" Fleishaker (1954 â€" May 23, 2016) was an American
character actor best known for his appearances in low-budget cult and
horror movies, in particular those produced by New York-based
independent film company Troma Entertainment, who have billed
Fleishaker as "Troma's biggest action star", humorously alluding to
his morbid obesity which surpassed five hundred pounds.Fleishaker was
first cast in Troma's 1988 action-comedy Troma's War as an extra,
where he played a member of a violent terrorist sect. Lloyd Kaufman,
the film's director, was amused by Fleishaker's screen presence as an
obese guerrilla soldier and ended up giving him more screen time
throughout the film. Following Troma's War, Fleishaker struck up an
ongoing partnership with Troma, having acted in every Kaufman-directed
film from 1989 to 2006. These parts have ranged from background parts
and short cameos to much larger supporting roles, such as The Toxic
Avenger's sidekick Lardass in Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger
IV.Outside of their films, Fleishaker became well-known to Troma fans
for his numerous appearances in the company's many promotional videos
and shorts, where he assumed the role of Troma co-president Michael
Herz, who typically prefers to stay out of the public eye.
Fleishaker's appearances as Herz were so frequent, many fans have
continued to mistake him for the real Michael Herz.In addition to his
work with Troma, Fleishaker appeared at least twelve times as a bit
player on Late Night/Late Show with David Letterman during the 1990s,
acting in various comedy sketches.
character actor best known for his appearances in low-budget cult and
horror movies, in particular those produced by New York-based
independent film company Troma Entertainment, who have billed
Fleishaker as "Troma's biggest action star", humorously alluding to
his morbid obesity which surpassed five hundred pounds.Fleishaker was
first cast in Troma's 1988 action-comedy Troma's War as an extra,
where he played a member of a violent terrorist sect. Lloyd Kaufman,
the film's director, was amused by Fleishaker's screen presence as an
obese guerrilla soldier and ended up giving him more screen time
throughout the film. Following Troma's War, Fleishaker struck up an
ongoing partnership with Troma, having acted in every Kaufman-directed
film from 1989 to 2006. These parts have ranged from background parts
and short cameos to much larger supporting roles, such as The Toxic
Avenger's sidekick Lardass in Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger
IV.Outside of their films, Fleishaker became well-known to Troma fans
for his numerous appearances in the company's many promotional videos
and shorts, where he assumed the role of Troma co-president Michael
Herz, who typically prefers to stay out of the public eye.
Fleishaker's appearances as Herz were so frequent, many fans have
continued to mistake him for the real Michael Herz.In addition to his
work with Troma, Fleishaker appeared at least twelve times as a bit
player on Late Night/Late Show with David Letterman during the 1990s,
acting in various comedy sketches.
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