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Jordan Charney

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Jordan Charney
Born (1937-04-01) April 1, 1937 (age 88)
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.A.
EducationAbraham Lincoln High School
Brooklyn College (1960)
OccupationActor
Years active1961–2007
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Spouse
​
(m. 1966)​
Children2
Parents
  • Abraham Charney (father)
  • Rose Resnick (mother)

Jordan Charney (born April 1, 1937) is an American character actor known for Ghostbusters (1984), Network (1976) and Hill Street Blues (1981).

Early life and career

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Charney was born in Brooklyn, New York,[1] on April 1, 1937,[2] the son of Rose—née Resnick—and Abraham Charney.[3][4][5] He is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School and of Brooklyn College,[6][1] where, in November 1957 and 1958, respectively, he portrayed the title character in productions of Coxe and Chapman's Billy Budd—adapted from Melville's like-named novel—and of Sophocles' tragedy, Oedipus Rex.[3][7] Majoring in speech and theatre, while also reinforcing his studies via summer stock engagements (primarily with the Woodstock Playhouse), Charney earned his BA in 1960 and made his Off-Broadway debut the following April in Edward Albee's Zoo Story, replacing Mark Richman as Jerry.[1][8][9][10] In 1962, Charney sought to further his education, as part of the Lincoln Center Training Program.[11][12]

Many of Charney's earliest screen roles were on daytime television, with appearances in numerous soaps. Charney created the role of creepy Julian Dark in the early to mid-1960s on the CBS soap, The Secret Storm. He played Sam Lucas, a former convict who became a lawyer, in both Another World and its spin-off Somerset, playing the role from 1967 to 1974. He also appeared as Lt. Vince Wolek on One Life to Live (1975–1977). Other roles were on Love of Life and All My Children.

Charney portrayed newspaper editor Ted Bergman in the 1977 CBS series The Andros Targets.[13] In 1980, he played Capt. Roger Westerby, an old flame of Corabeth Godsey, in a season eight episode of The Waltons. He had a recurring role as Frank Angelino, Jack Tripper's boss, on Three's Company (1981–1983). He is often cast as a judge, attorney, prison warden, or police officer. He has made appearances on Falcon Crest, Dynasty, Night Court and 100 Centre Street, among many other series. He can also be seen in the recurring role of Judge Donald Karan on Law & Order.

In 1982, Charney portrayed renowned theatre director and drama critic Harold Clurman in Universal's Frances Farmer biopic (alongside Jessica Lange as Farmer and Jeffrey DeMunn as Clifford Odets);[14] he has also appeared in such films as The Hospital, Network, and Ghostbusters, and acted on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater.[15]

1982 also marked the beginning of Charney's tenure as artistic director of Actors Alley theater in the San Fernando Valley in California. By November 1986 the group's membership had grown from 22 when he arrived to 70. It offered weekly classes for members and presented both free and paid-admission plays for the public.[11]

Family and personal life

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Charney has been married to television director / theatrical producer Nancy Cooperstein since November 1966.[16][17]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 Plaza Suite Jesse's Aide Uncredited
1971 The Hospital Hitchcock
1976 Network Harry Hunter
1980 Those Lips, Those Eyes Professor
1980 Witches' Brew Charlie Reynolds
1981 Separate Ways Harry Bartoff
1982 Frances Harold Clurman
1984 Ghostbusters Dean Yeager
1985 Creator Dr. Whitaker
1986 My Little Girl Dr. Gruner
2001 Queenie in Love Father
2007 Mo Dr. Leahman
2007 Anamorph Chairman

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1965 The Magnificent Yankee Halloran Television film
1965 Love of Life Dr. Tony Vento 18 episodes
1966 Hawk Intern Episode: "Death Comes Full Circle"
1967–1974 Another World Sam Lucas 10 episodes
1970 Somerset Episode #1.1
1974 Guiding Light Dr. Harold Eberhart 3 episodes
1976–1977 One Life to Live Vince Wolek #2 24 episodes
1977 The Andros Targets Ted Bergman Television film
1978 Who'll Save Our Children? John Drake
1979 Dallas Lieutenant Sutton / Detective Rollins 2 episodes
1979–1983 Three's Company Frank Angelino / Mr. Layton 12 episodes
1980 Marriage Is Alive and Well Fritz Television film
1980 The Waltons Capt. Roger Westerby Episode: "The Medal"
1980 The Ropers Mr. McLaughlin Episode: "The Other Woman"
1980 The Plutonium Incident Mr. Orr Television film
1981 Lou Grant Karl Buckner Episode: "Catch"
1981 Benson Jack Beddoes Episode: "The Governor's House Call"
1981 Private Benjamin Capt. Hookstratten Episode: "Judy Got Her Gun"
1981–1982 General Hospital Dr. Seymour Katz 13 episodes
1981–1985 Hill Street Blues Ed Chapel / Marty Dignan 4 episodes
1982 Hart to Hart Mr. Flowers Episode: "Blue and Broken-Harted"
1983 Blood Feud TV Commentator Television film
1983 Tucker's Witch Max Leopold Episode: "Formula for Revenge"
1984 Amazons Congressman Harris Stowe Television film
1984 Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter Harry Ascot
1984 Falcon Crest Norton Crane 6 episodes
1984 E/R Donald Episode: "Son of Sheinfeld"
1984 The Cartier Affair Ben Foley Television film
1984 The Impostor Barela
1985 Robert Kennedy and His Times Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. 3 episodes
1985 Kids Don't Tell Tatum Television film
1985 T. J. Hooker Captain Pankowitz Episode: "The Chicago Connection"
1985 Do You Remember Love Marvin Langdon Television film
1985 Santa Barbara Dr. Renfro 23 episodes
1985 Amos Commissioner Bert Daniels Television film
1985 Hunter Stu Episode: "Killer in a Halloween Mask"
1985 Crime of Innocence Spencer Mulholland Television film
1985 Final Jeopardy Mr. Clemens
1985 Glitter Vincent Episode: "Nightfall"
1985 Misfits of Science Dr. Moyer Episode: "Grand Theft Bunny"
1986 Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story Pete Stark Television film
1986 Our House Judge Albert Episode: "See You in Court"
1987 Shell Game Bob Kenton Episode: "Norman's Parking Ticket"
1987 Rags to Riches Harvey Episode: "Born to Ride"
1987 Home Fires Hal Robinson Television film
1987 Highway to Heaven Joe Eastwood Episode: "In with the 'In' Crowd"
1987–1988 Dynasty Bill Cochran 5 episodes
1987, 1991 L.A. Law Joseph Gennis / Samuel Adelson 2 episodes
1988 Knots Landing Abby's Lawyer Episode: "Lawfully Wedded"
1988 Baja Oklahoma Beecher Perry Television film
1988 The Bronx Zoo Mr. Ted Sharf Episode: "Behind Closed Doors"
1988 The Town Bully Harmon Gunderson Television film
1988 To Heal a Nation Spreiregen
1988 David Judge
1988 Night Court James McCracken Episode: "The Night Court Before Christmas"
1989 Capone Behind Bars J. Edgar Hoover Television film
1989 When He's Not a Stranger Chancellor Hammond
1989 Matlock Warden Paul Branden 2 episodes
1990 Mancuso, F.B.I. Jiri
1990 All My Children Kurt Bodine 11 episodes
1991 Her Wicked Ways Bernie Robbins Television film
1992–2006 Law & Order Judge Donald Karan / Dr. Mandell 9 episodes
1994 One West Waikiki Dr. Howard Braniff / Pathologist 2 episodes
1995 The Boys Are Back Bill Episode: "The French Class"
1995 Chicago Hope Mr. Harrod Episode: "The Ethics of Hope"
1996 Innocent Victims Judge Television film
1996 Baywatch Charlie Episode: "Baywatch Angels"
1997 Touched by an Angel Official Episode: "Charades"
2001 100 Centre Street Judge Kelleher 5 episodes
2002 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Melvin Colter Episode: "Homo Homini Lupus"
2002 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rory O'Halloran Episode: "Silence"

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mail Bag". Waco Tribune-Herald. August 30, 1964. p. 6-D. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "Brooklyn-born Jordan Charney speaks Hebrew, French and Yiddish and is currently studying Russian. He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1960 with a BA degree in speech and theater, and made his Broadway debut in 1961 in 'The Zoo Story.' He is a bachelor."
  2. ^ Willis, John (January 1, 2004). Theatre World 2000-2001: Special Tony Honor Edition. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 224. ISBN 1557835233 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b "He Lost Weight, Got the Part". Kings Courier. November 9, 1957. p. 22. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "A temporary job in a New York public relations firm last month accidentally opened the door to the career Jordan Charney, 20, fourth year student at Brooklyn College, has wanted for as long he can remember. Jordan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Charney of 1421 E. 7 St., decided he would like to be an actor on the day he appeared in his first kindergarten playlet. [...] Jordan was told that without "going on any diet at all, and without ever feeling hungry, he could accomplish his desired loss of weight. [...] Three weeks later, Jordan's weight was down from 200 pounds to 180 pounds, a good weight for a six footer. The drama coach at Brooklyn College was delighted, and so was Jordan; he got the title role in Billy Budd."
  4. ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths". The New York Times. June 15, 2001. p. 37. ProQuest 1326074401. CHARNEY-Rose. Died June 13, 2001. Beloved mother of Barbara Schreier and Jordan Charney. Adored grandmother of Randy, Larry, Gayle, Allison and Daniel. Cherished great-grandmother of Jason, Adam and Jake. A long time performing member of the Kadimah group of Haddassah. Graveside services will be held at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Queens Sunday, June 17 at 10:30AM.
  5. ^ "Engagement Announcements—Weddings and Shower Crowd Calendar: Resnick—Charney". Brooklyn Eagle. June 29, 1930. p. 17. Miss Rose Resnick, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Solomon H. Resnick of 250 Penn St., will be married to Abraham Charney, son of Isaac Charney, today at 1 o'clock at Rabbi Riskioff's Congregation on Lafayette Avenue.
  6. ^ "School and College News: Flood of Vets; Borough Students Abroad; G. O. Chiefs; Students Score". The Brooklyn Eagle. July 4, 1954. p. 10. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "N. Y. U. has presented a $1,280 scholarship and gold medal to Katharine Critchley of Abraham Lincoln High School for her prize-winning short story in the university's Prose Writers' Contest. Jordan Charney, of the same school, won the Brooklyn District prize."
  7. ^ "Grecian Drama Presented by College Group". Brooklyn Record.
  8. ^ Walls, Bette (January 28, 1967). "Lets Talk TV: Kraft Foods Contest Opens; Today's Profile—Jordan Charney". The Reporter-Times. p. 6. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "While still in college, Charney prepped for his acting career by appearing in summer stock productions, principally at Woodstock (N,Y.) Playhouse under the direction of Cyril Simon. He also was identified with the Habimah Haktanah theater group of New York City, which led to a contract offer from the Israeli Theater in Tel Aviv, which he turned down,"
  9. ^ Morgenstern, Joseph (August 29, 1973). "Theater Notes: Westbury Planning Eleven Musicals; 'Carnival' Recording; Other News Notes". New York Herald Tribune. p. 6. ProQuest 1326074401. Jordan Charney has replaced Mark Richman in 'The Zoo Story,' Edward Albee's one-act play on the same bill with Beckett's 'Krapp's Last Tape' at the Cricket Theater.
  10. ^ Adler, Stella; Paris, Barry, ed. (2012). Stella Adler on America's Master Playwrights: Eugene O'Neill, Thornton Wilder, Clifford Odets, William Saroyan, Tennessee Williams, William Inge, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee. New York: Vintage Books. p. 363. ISBN 978-0-679-74699-7. "William Daniels as Peter and Mark Richman as Jerry in an early 1960s production of Edward Albee's The Zoo Story. 'Fight for your bench, for your parakeet—fight, you son-of-a-bitch! If you want it, fight for it.'"
  11. ^ a b Arkatov, Janice (November 25, 1986). "Challenge is up Charney's alley". Los Angeles Times. p. 2 - Part VI. Retrieved July 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Rabbit Run Team Plans 1963 Season". The Cleveland Plain Dealer. August 26, 1962. p. 2-H. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "Rabbit Run Theater winds up its season with 'Glass Menagerie' this week after which the company’s players will return to New York. [...] For Charney, leading man in the company, the end of the season means the beginning of his residency at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. MISS MILES also will become part of the Lincoln Center training program."
  13. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (October 6, 2015). Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops. McFarland. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-4766-0515-9. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  14. ^ Connelly, Mark (2024). The Group Theatre: An Enduring Legacy. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 293. ISBN 978-1-4766-7711-8. "Frances Farmer (1913–1970) played Lorna Moon in Golden Boy and appeared in Thunder Rock. Jessica Lange was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Frances Farmer in the 1982 film Frances with Jordan Charney portraying Harold Clurman and Jeffrey DeMunn playing Clifford Odets."
  15. ^ Payton, Gordon; Jr, Martin Grams (September 17, 2015). The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide and Handbook to Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974-1982. McFarland. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7864-9228-2. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  16. ^ "Charney, Jordan 1937– | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  17. ^ Wallace, Kenneth G. (October 31, 1966). "One On the Aisle: Dancer Gets Timely Job". The Record. p. 54. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "And now, romance. Jordan Charney of Brooklyn and Nancy Cooperstein of Fall River, Mass., who knew each other before, have become romantically serious since playing together in 'Viet Rock' and they're going to be married right after the November 10 opening at the Martinique."
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