Charles Grodin rocked Hollywood in his prime as an actor, TV host and comedian. Then he became an author and only appeared in movies and shows only when he wanted. Here’s everything we know about the late actor Charles Grodin.
Charles Grodin: Birthplace and early life
Charles Grodin was born in April 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Lena (née Singer), a volunteer for disabled veterans and Theodore I. Grodin, who sold wholesale supplies. He was raised in an orthodox Jewish family with his elder brother Jack.
The high school he attended has not been made public but there are reports which state that he was elected class president at every level of high school until he graduated as the valedictorian.
He enrolled at the University of Miami but to the surprise of his parents, he dropped out of college and started chasing his acting dream but not without passing through acting classes in HB Studio New York under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen.
To kick start his acting career proper, he appeared in a Disney production film and also played a part in a Broadway production in the late 1950s.
Charles Grodin: Career
Charles Grodin made his acting debut in the Disney 1954 film “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He soon made his Broadway debut in “Tchin-Tchin” as looks towards balancing his young career. In 1968, he played the role of an obstetrician in the horror film “Rosemary’s Baby” before he starred in the ABC soap opera “The Young Marrieds” as Matt Stevens.
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Charles could have played the role of Benjamin Braddock in the romantic comedy-drama film “The Graduate” but he declined the role after he stated that the role was not profitable. He continued to paddle his own ship and became part of some TV series and films “Felony Squad”. “The F.B.I” “Catch- 22” and many others.
He later left the acting and started his own talk show “The Charles Grodin Show” on CNBC. The show ran from 1995-1998. Charles became a political commentator for “60 Minutes II”; a weekly primetime newsmagazine television program. When he got bored with the political commentaries he returned to acting and played the role of Bob Kowalski in the comedy film “The Ex”.
He appeared as Dr. Bigelow on five episodes of FX comedy-drama series “Louie”. In 2016, he played the role of Dick D’Angelo in the comedy-drama film “The Comedian”. Charles may not be a regular face on TV these days but people who knew him back in the days would attest to how fun he made their childhood to be.
Charles Grodin who was exactly 6 feet tall or 1.83 meters in height. He had written several books, some of which are bestsellers. In 1989, he wrote the book “It Would Be So Nice If You Weren’t Here: My Journey Through Show Business”. In 1992, he wrote, “How I Get Through Life: A Wise and Witty Guide”. It took him ten years to write another book he entitled “I Like It Better When You’re Funny: Working in Television and Other Precarious Adventure” (2002) and in 2009, he wrote the book “How I Got to Be Whoever It Is I Am”.
Charles won awards in the acting industry. In 1978, he won an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Comedy-Variety or Music Special. In 1988, he won the Valladolid International Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his role in “Midnight Run” and he won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in “Dave”, a television series.
Family and cause of death
Charles Grodin was a family man as he laid down his career to be with his children back in the 2000s. He had married twice in his life. Charles’ first marriage was to Julie Ferguson in 1968 and together they had one child named Marion Grodin.
After the union ended, he married for the second to author Elissa Durwood and they welcomed a child named Nick Grodin.
Grodin did a lot to keep his family matters out of the prying eyes of the media.
Charles Grodin made movies from the 1950s to this decade. Aside from his acting credits, he is an accomplished TV talk show host. He is also a bestselling author. Put all these together, you would get a rounder picture of his financial worth.
The actor was worth 12 million dollars in 2020.
Charles Grodin was an active supporter of the Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation and the Children’s Health Fund.
On the 18th of May, 2021, Nicholas Grodin announced that his father has passed away in the Old Grodin home in Wilton, Connecticut. The young Grodin said the cause of his father’s demise was bone marrow cancer.
May his soul rest well.
Image source: The Wall Street Journal
