Michael Lerner Death: What Happened To ‘Barton Fink’ Actor? Cause Of Death

Michael Lerner, a prolific character actor who was nominated for an Academy Award and had notable roles as bombastic characters in films such as Barton Fink, Harlem Nights, Eight Men Out, and many others, has passed away at the age of 81.

Michael Lerner Cause Of Death

According to a post on Instagram made by Michael Lerner’s nephew Sam Lerner, who is also an actor, Michael Lerner passed away on Saturday night (The Goldbergs). It took some time before the cause of death could be determined.

Sam wrote in his journal, “It’s difficult to put into words how intelligent my uncle Michael was and how much of an influence he was on me.” “His stories have been a constant source of motivation for me and are responsible for my passion for performing.”

The fact that he was the coolest, most self-assured, and most talented guy will always make me feel unique, and the fact that he was my blood will never change that. Everyone who knew him was aware of how insane he was but in the most charming possible way.

Also Check: Who Is Misty Loman? What Actually Happened To Her? Is She Still Alive?

Who Was Michael Lerner?

In the year 1941, Michael Lerner was born in the borough of Brooklyn. He received his education at Brooklyn College, where he participated in a staging of the play “Death of a Salesman.” He then earned his master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).

A Fullbright Scholarship was offered to Michael Lerner, and he decided to take advantage of it and study theater in London for two years. It was in this location that he lived with Yoko Ono and made an appearance in one of her experimental films, in addition to participating in other creative endeavors.

Michael Lerner began his acting career in the late 1960s at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. After relocating to Los Angeles, he then took part in a performance of Little Murders in the city.

Michael Lerner had a successful career in Hollywood that spanned five decades, during which time he was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film Barton Fink in the year 1991.

In recent years, he has taken on fewer roles on the big screen, and his most recent appearance was in the Russian film Pervyy Oskar in 2022.

In the film Elf, which he starred in alongside Will Ferrell in 2003, Michael Lerner played the role of Fulton Greenway, the domineering boss of Walter Hobbs, who was played by actor James Caan. This role brought Lerner the most fame.

In addition, he had roles in a number of successful movies released in the 1980s and 1990s, such as “Eight Men Out” (1988), “Amos & Andrew” (1993), and “No Escape” (1994). In the box office smash Godzilla from 1998, Lerner portrayed Mayor Ebert. In the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past, he portrayed Senator Brickman.

More: How Did Curious George Die? Curious George Death Explained