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James KarenAmerican character actor
Date of Birth: 28.11.1923
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Jacob Karen: The Eclectic Character Actor
- Notable Performances
- The "Pathmark Man"
- Film Career
- Television Appearances
- Awards and Honors
- Personal Life
Jacob Karen: The Eclectic Character Actor
Born Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Jewish immigrants from Russia, Jacob Karen's passion for acting was sparked by Congressman Daniel J. Flood, a fellow thespian. He attended the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.
Notable Performances
Karen's breakthrough role came as a replacement for Karl Malden in the original Broadway production of "A Streetcar Named Desire." He gained television prominence as Dr. Burke on "As the World Turns" and Lincoln Tyler on "All My Children." However, he is best known for his long-running role as Eliot Randolph on "Eight Is Enough."
The "Pathmark Man"
Karen's iconic stint as the spokesman for the Pathmark supermarket chain on the East Coast earned him the affectionate nickname "Mr. Pathmark." His humorous and memorable commercials spanned two decades.
Film Career
Karen made his cinematic debut with Buster Keaton's "Steamboat Bill, Jr." (1928), becoming a close friend of Keaton. He appeared in notable films such as "The China Syndrome," "Poltergeist," "The Return of the Living Dead," and "Wall Street." In later years, he gained recognition for his poignant role in "The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006).
Television Appearances
Karen guest-starred on shows such as "The Kallikaks," "Blind Ambition," "The Golden Girls," and "Little House on the Prairie," where he played the villainous Nathan Lassiter who destroyed Walnut Grove in the series finale.
Awards and Honors
Karen received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for "The Return of the Living Dead" in 1985. He was awarded the Saturn Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to horror films in 1998.
Personal Life
Karen married former actress and folk singer Susan Reed in 1944. They divorced in 1967. He later married Alba Francesca, who co-starred with him in "Hardbodies 2." Karen had one child and two grandchildren.
