Harris Yulin Passes Away at 87
Harris Yulin, an esteemed actor known for his performances in “Scarface” and “Ghostbusters II,” has died at the age of 87. His family and manager Sue Raeveman confirmed that he passed away from cardiac arrest on Tuesday in New York City.
A statement from his family expressed that Yulin was part of a generation of Indigenous actors who deeply valued the craft of acting. This commitment to the art led to performances that resonated with audiences and left a lasting impact on the art of acting itself.
Born on November 5, 1937, in Los Angeles, Yulin began his New York stage career in 1963 with “Singing to You at the Next Time” and made his Broadway debut in 1980 with a revival of “Watch on the Rhine.” His Broadway repertoire included notable works like “Price,” “Visit,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” and “Hedda Gabler.”
In addition to acting, Yulin directed various plays, including “The Glass Menagerie,” “The Trip to Bountiful,” and “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”
His film career started with the 1970 satirical drama “End of the Road,” featuring James Earl Jones and Stacey Keach. He later starred in prominent films such as “Scarface” (1983), “Ghostbusters II” (1989), “Clear and Present Danger” (1994), “Rush Hour 2” (2001), and “Training Day” (2001).
On television, Yulin earned an Emmy nomination for a guest role in “Frasier” and had significant roles in Netflix’s “Ozark,” alongside appearances in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “24,” “Veep,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”
In a 2010 interview, he described himself as “not particularly well known,” but acknowledged his desire to simply take on the next project.
Recently, Yulin had collaborated with Michael Hoffman on the MGM+ series “American Classics,” a continuation of their creative relationship that began with the 2005 film “Game 6.”
Director Michael Hoffman praised Yulin, calling him “one of the greatest artists” he’s ever met. He highlighted Yulin’s technique and ability to approach roles with a fresh perspective, which brought a unique vitality to his work.
In his personal life, Yulin was romantically involved with actress Faye Dunaway from 1971 to 1972 after they starred together in the Western film “Doc.” He later married actress Gwen Wells, and they were together until her death in 1993. Yulin is survived by his second wife, actress Kristen Roman, and other family members, including his daughter, actress Claire Lucid.
