The world of cinema has lost a true legend. Michael Lerner, the acclaimed actor with a career spanning over five decades, passed away at the age of 81. Lerner’s nephew, Sam Lerner, who is also an actor, announced the news of his uncle’s death in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“We lost a legend last night. It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me,” wrote Sam. “His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special.”
Michael Lerner was a versatile performer who brought a unique energy to every role he played. His most iconic performance came in 1991’s “Barton Fink,” for which he received an Oscar nomination. He also starred in other memorable films such as “Eight Men Out,” “Godzilla,” and “X-Men: Days of Futures Past.”
Despite his incredible success, Lerner remained grounded and true to his craft. He was reportedly involved in several upcoming projects, including “Sallywood” with Sally Kirkland, Jennifer Tilly, and Eric Roberts. He was also rumored to be working on “Edoardo the Last Goodbye,” and was cast in “Fragments from Olympus: The Vision of Nikola Tesla” with Sean Young and Ed Begley Jr.
Lerner’s nephew, Sam, paid tribute to his uncle’s indomitable spirit and creativity, saying, “Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was— in the best way. I’m so lucky I got to spend so much time with him, and we’re all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time.”
Michael Lerner was born and raised in Brooklyn, and began his acting career in the 1960s with the American Conservatory Theater. He made his film debut in 1970 with “Alex in Wonderland,” before transitioning to television roles on shows like “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Emergency!,” and “MASH.”
Lerner was a familiar face to audiences across the world, having appeared in countless films and TV shows throughout his career. He starred as White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger in the ABC TV movie “The Missiles of October” with William Devane in 1974, and had roles on “The Rockford Files,” “Kojak,” “Barnaby Jones,” and “Hart to Hart.”
The loss of Michael Lerner is a profound one for the entertainment industry. He was a true original whose contributions to film and television will be remembered for years to come. As his nephew Sam Lerner wrote in his Instagram post, “RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”
