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| birth_place = [[New Rochelle, New York]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[New Rochelle, New York]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|10|22|1955|9|12}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|10|22|1955|9|12}}
| death_place = [[Manhattan, New York]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Manhattan, New York]], U.S.
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1978–2021
| years_active = 1978–2021
| children = 4
| children = 4
| birth_name = Peter Thomas Scolari
| birth_name = Peter Thomas Scolari
| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Lisa Kretzchmar<br />|1981|1983|end=div}}|{{marriage|Debra Steagal<br />|1986|1996|reason=div.}}|{{marriage|Cathy Trien<br />|1998|2004|end=div}}|{{marriage|Tracy Shayne<br />|2013|}}}}
| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Lisa Kretzchmar|1981|1983|end=div}}|{{marriage|Debra Steagal|1986|1996|reason=div.}}|{{marriage|Cathy Trien|1998|2004|end=div}}|{{marriage|Tracy Shayne|2013|}}}}
}}
}}


'''Peter Thomas Scolari''' (September 12, 1955 – October 22, 2021) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles as Michael Harris on ''[[Newhart]]'' (1984–1990), Henry Desmond on ''[[Bosom Buddies]]'' (1980–1982) and Wayne Szalinski on ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show|Honey, I Shrunk the Kids]]'' (1997–2000). Scolari received three [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy]] nominations for his work on ''Newhart'' and won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]] for his recurring role as Tad Horvath on ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]'' in 2016.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/peter-scolari-wins-guest-actor-comedy-series-girls-lena-dunham-dad-emmys-1201816816/| title=Peter Scolari Wins Guest Actor Comedy Series Emmy for Role as Lena Dunham's Dad| first=Lisa| last=DeMoraes| date=September 10, 2016| website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]| access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>
'''Peter Thomas Scolari''' (September 12, 1955 – October 22, 2021)<ref name=SCHUDEL>{{cite news |last=Schudel |first=Matt |title=Comic actor won an Emmy for role in 'Girls,' was Tom Hanks's TV buddy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/peter-scolari-dead/2021/10/22/9d8c2820-3358-11ec-9241-aad8e48f01ff_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 24, 2021 |access-date=September 4, 2023}}</ref> was an American actor. He was best known for his roles as Henry Desmond in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[sitcom]] ''[[Bosom Buddies]]'' (1980–1982) and Michael Harris on the [[CBS]] sitcom ''[[Newhart]]'' (1984–1990) the later of which earned him three consecutive nominations for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series]] from 1987 to 1989.


Scolari had roles as Wayne Szalinski in the [[Walt Disney Television|Disney]] sitcom ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show]]'' (1997–2000) and as Tad Horvath in the [[HBO]] series ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]'' (2012–2017), the latter of which earned him the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]]. He had recurring roles as [[Gillian B. Loeb]] in the [[superhero]] [[Crime film#crime series|crime series]] ''[[Gotham (TV series)|Gotham]]'' (2015) and Bishop Thomas Marx in the [[supernatural]] series ''[[Evil (TV series)|Evil]]'' (2019–2021).
==Early life==
{{Expand section|date=September 2018}}
Scolari was born in [[New Rochelle, New York]], on September 12, 1955.<ref name="nytobit"/> He described his father as an [[child abuse|abusive]], "rageful man" and his mother as an [[alcoholic]], and has said that their marriage was tumultuous. "They stayed together for the kids and also because they were hopelessly in love with each other, but they were totally incompatible," he said in an interview with the ''[[Toronto Star]]''.<ref>{{cite news| first=Richard| last=Ouzounian| url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2008/09/20/from_tragedy_a_comedian_is_born.html| title=From tragedy, a comedian is born| newspaper=[[The Toronto Star]]| date=September 20, 2008| access-date=October 1, 2018}}</ref>
Scolari was active in the Theatre Department of Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California in the 1970's. He left the school after two years to pursue his professional career.


He acted in the films ''[[The Rosebud Beach Hotel]]'' (1984), ''[[Corporate Affairs]]'' (1990), ''[[That Thing You Do!]]'' (1996), and ''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]'' (2004). On stage, he portrayed [[Yogi Berra]] in the play ''[[Bronx Bombers (play)|Bronx Bombers]]'' (2014) and acted in the [[Larry Gelbart]]'s ''[[Sly Fox]]'' (2004), [[Eric Simonson]]'s ''[[Magic/Bird]]'' (2012), and [[Nora Ephron]]'s ''[[Lucky Guy (play)|Lucky Girl]]'' (2013). He also acted in replacement roles in the musicals ''[[Hairspray (musical)|Hairspray]]'' in 2003 and ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'' in 2016.
==Career==
===Television===
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2021}}
Scolari's first ongoing role was in the short-lived 1980 sitcom ''[[Goodtime Girls]]'' as the juggling neighbor of the title characters. He and [[Tom Hanks]] were then cast in another sitcom, ''[[Bosom Buddies]]'', as men who disguise themselves as women to live in an affordable apartment in a women's-only residence. After ''Bosom Buddies'' was canceled in 1982, Scolari joined the cast of ''[[Newhart]]'' in 1984, in which he played Michael Harris, a [[yuppie]] local TV producer. Scolari stayed with the series until its conclusion in 1990.


== Early life and education ==
Following central roles in the unsuccessful series ''[[Family Album (1993 TV series)|Family Album]]'' and ''[[Dweebs (TV series)|Dweebs]]'', Scolari spent three seasons playing inventor Wayne Szalinski, a role originated on film by [[Rick Moranis]], in the [[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show|TV adaptation]] of the Disney film ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show|Honey, I Shrunk the Kids]]''. He later had a recurring role as the father of [[Lena Dunham]]'s character on HBO's ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]'', for which he won an Emmy in 2016. He also portrayed [[Gotham City]]’s corrupt police commissioner [[Gillian B. Loeb]] in [[20th Century Fox|Fox]]’s superhero crime drama ''[[Gotham (TV series)|Gotham]]'' and Bishop Marx on Paramount's series [[Evil_(TV_series)| Evil]] (2019–2021).
Scolari was born in [[New Rochelle, New York]], to Arthur and Barbara (née Fay) Scolari, and was raised in [[Scarsdale, New York|Scarsdale]] along with an older sister and two younger brothers.<ref name=KNUTZEN>{{cite news |last=Knutzen |first=Eirik |date=June 20, 1987 |title=Love that jerk! Times are good for Peter Scolari: the pay is great and work steady playing a yuppie jerk on Newhart |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/435580926 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |page=S76 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |id={{ProQuest|435580926}} |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=BRENNAN>{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=Patricia |title=Crescendo or climax? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1989/03/12/crescendo-or-climax/2f42a6dd-faa3-4f65-afba-e3a4f0f0f526/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=March 12, 1989 |access-date=September 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name=CASPER>{{cite news |date=April 28, 1985 |title=TV Spotlight: Peter Scolari |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/349126354/ |work=[[Casper Star-Tribune]] |page=71 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> His father was of Italian descent and played semi-professional baseball before becoming a lawyer.<ref name=KNUTZEN/> His mother was a singer prior to meeting Scolari's father and later worked with the Alcohol Rehabilitation arm of the Tidewater Psychiatric Institute in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]].<ref name=KNUTZEN/><ref name=CASPER/> In an interview with the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' Scolari said that his father was a [[psychological abuse|psychologically abusive]], "rageful man", and that his mother struggled with [[alcoholism]].<ref name=OUZOUNIAN>{{cite news| first=Richard| last=Ouzounian| url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2008/09/20/from_tragedy_a_comedian_is_born.html| title=From tragedy, a comedian is born| newspaper=[[The Toronto Star]]| date=September 20, 2008| access-date=October 1, 2018}}</ref> Scolari added that his parents "stayed together for the kids and also because they were hopelessly in love with each other, but they were totally incompatible."<ref name=OUZOUNIAN/>


At the age of 13 Scolari did some animation voice acting work and performed in plays while attending [[Edgemont High School]] in Scarsdale, where he also participated in football, baseball and track.<ref name=BRENNAN/> At 16 years of age he starred as Finch in a high school production of ''[[How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (musical)|How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying]]'' and came to the realization that he wanted to be an actor professionally.<ref name=GENZLINGER>{{cite news |last=Genzlinger |first=Neil |title=Peter Scolari, 'Newhart' and 'Girls' Actor, Is Dead at 66 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/arts/peter-scolari-dead.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=October 22, 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Broadway===
Scolari appeared on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'' (as [[Wizard of Oz (character)|the Wizard of Oz]]), ''[[Sly Fox]]'', ''[[Hairspray (musical)|Hairspray]]''<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=114218| title=Peter Scolari| website=[[Internet Broadway Database]]| access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref> and ''[[Lucky Guy (play)|Lucky Guy]]'', which reunited him with his ''Bosom Buddies'' co-star Hanks. Scolari also appeared [[Off-Broadway]] in ''Old Man Joseph and His Family'', ''[[The Exonerated (play)|The Exonerated]]'', ''In the Wings'', ''The Music Man'' and ''White's Lies''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Peter&last=Scolari&middle=| title=Peter Scolari| website=Internet Off-Broadway Database| access-date=May 27, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008073524/http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Peter&last=Scolari&middle=| archive-date=October 8, 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 1972, he enrolled at [[Occidental College]] in Los Angeles as a theater arts major, but left a year later and returned to New York after his father died.<ref name=KNUTZEN/><ref name=BRENNAN/> He joined the Colonnades Theatre Lab, a [[repertory theatre]] in [[Manhattan]], working with actors such as [[Danny DeVito]], [[Rhea Perlman]], [[Jeff Goldblum]] and [[Michael O'Keefe]].<ref name=KNUTZEN/><ref name=OUZOUNIAN/> Scolari was also working on a degree in comparative literature at [[City College of New York]].<ref name=KNUTZEN/> During this time, Scolari appeared in multiple [[off-Broadway]] plays and met Finnish actor Paavo Tammim, who taught him to juggle.<ref name=TERRY>{{cite news |last=Terry |first=Clifford |date=March 13, 1988 |title=Peter Scolari delves into shallow Michael |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282386917/ |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |page=3 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He also studied [[Mime artist|mime]] and learned to ride a [[unicycle]].<ref name=KNUTZEN/><ref name=BURTONTERRY>{{cite news |last=Burton Terry |first=Carol |date=August 10, 1986 |title=Off camera |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/285481371/ |work=[[Newsday]] |page=62 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> His performance in a 1974 production of "Reflections" received a rave review from ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name=CASPER/> In 1979 he returned to Los Angeles.<ref name=TERRY/>
In 1996, Scolari starred in a version of the stage musical ''[[Stop the World – I Want to Get Off]]'', produced for the [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E television network]].


==Career==
In 2014, Scolari portrayed [[Yogi Berra]] in ''[[Bronx Bombers (play)|Bronx Bombers]]''. His wife Tracy Shayne played Berra's wife Carmen.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.oneidadispatch.com/arts-and-entertainment/20140203/newlyweds-enjoy-roles-in-broadways-bronx-bombers| title=Newlyweds enjoy roles in Broadway's 'Bronx Bombers'| newspaper=[[Oneida Dispatch]]| date=February 3, 2014| agency=[[Associated Press]]| access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>
=== 1978–1990: ''Bosom Buddies'' and ''Newhart'' ===
Credited under pseudonym Barney Tramble, Scolari's first film role was in the 1978 [[X rated]] film ''Take Off''.<ref name=ROCK>{{cite news |date=April 24, 1988 |title=Newhart's 'Michael' once a porn star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/666242788/ |work=[[The Rock Island Argus]] |page=G1 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He played a teenager named Kookie and his performance did not involve nudity.<ref name=ROCK/> Scolari was signed to do an NBC [[Television pilot|pilot]] in 1979 titled ''The Further Adventures Of Wally Brown'', a show that did not get picked up.<ref name=KNUTZEN/> He starred in the short-lived 1980 sitcom ''[[Goodtime Girls]]'' as Benny, the juggling neighbor of the title characters.<ref name=KNUTZEN/> His big break came when he was cast with [[Tom Hanks]] in the 1980 sitcom, ''[[Bosom Buddies]]''.<ref name=KNUTZEN/> Scolari and Hanks play a couple of [[advertising]] [[copywriters]] who disguise themselves as women in order to live in an affordable New York apartment — a women's-only residence called the [[Susan B. Anthony]] Hotel.<ref name=SCHUDEL/> A different actor had initially been cast alongside Hanks, but things didn't work out.<ref name=GENZLINGER/> Scolari happened to be playing a guest role on an adjacent sound stage and was auditioned for the role.<ref name=GENZLINGER/> The show's pilot was shot a few days later.<ref name=GENZLINGER/> Scolari played Henry Desmond, whose female pseudonym was Hildegard, and Hanks played Kip Wilson, who went by the name Buffy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Abramovitch |first=Seth |date=March 16, 2023 |title=On Bosom Buddies, Tom Hanks Became a Star in Drag |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2787934487/ |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=429 |page=60 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> ''Bosom Buddies'' started out with good ratings, but failed to hold the public's interest and was canceled after two seasons and 37 episodes. His next starring role was in the 1983 sitcom ''[[Baby Makes Five]]'', which was cancelled after only five episodes.<ref name=KNUTZEN/>


He starred in the 1984 comedy film ''[[The Rosebud Beach Hotel]]'', about a couple — played by Scolari and [[Colleen Camp]] — who turn their hotel into a [[brothel]], by hiring [[sex workers]] to work as [[bellhops]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Maltin |first=Leonard |date=September 2, 2014 |title=Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F60TAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22rosebud+beach+hotel%22&pg=PT2021 |publisher=Penguin Publishing Group |isbn=9780698183612 |author-link=Leonard Maltin}}</ref> That same year Scolari joined the cast of ''[[Newhart]]'' as Michael Harris, a [[preppy|preppily]]-dressed, wannabe [[yuppie]], and local TV producer of the fictional [[talk show]] "Vermont Today".<ref name=GENZLINGER/><ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Kathryn |date=August 30, 1987 |title=Scolari has 'too much fun' |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/389514544/ |work=[[Sun Sentinel]] |page=4 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Harris was a recurring character in the show's second season and the character was so popular with audiences that executive producer [[Barry Kemp (TV producer)|Barry Kemp]] signed Scolari to be a regular cast member in the show's following season, before it was even confirmed that there would be a third season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bianculli |first1=David |last2=Walstad |first2=David |last3=Shister |first3=Gail |date=April 27, 1984 |title=A regular spot for a buddy |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1819998511 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |page=D5 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |id={{ProQuest|1819998511}} |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> His role earned Scolari three [[Emmy Awards|Emmy]] nominations for best supporting actor in a comedy and remained with the show until its conclusion in 1990.<ref name=GENZLINGER/> During this time, Scolari also got to showcase his [[vaudevillian]] talents during three episodes of the annual television special, ''[[Circus of the Stars]]'', including juggling with knives and fire, as well as juggling on a [[Tightrope walking|tightrope]].<ref name=TERRY/> Scolari once again worked with Hanks on his directorial debut, ''[[That Thing You Do!]]'' about a fictional 1960s rock band called the Wonders.<ref name=THATTHING>{{cite news |date=October 19, 1996 |title='That Thing' reunites buddies Hanks, Scolari |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/391688263/ |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |page=D8 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Scolari plays the role of Troy Chesterfield, the host of a [[variety show]] on which the Wonders appear.<ref name=THATTHING/>
==Personal life==
Scolari was married to Debra Steagal and later to actress Cathy Trien, with whom he had two children. He married his longtime girlfriend, actress Tracy Shayne, in June 2013.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/peter-scolari-marries-tracy-shayne-tom-hanks-gives-amazing-toast-2013410/#ixzz2tRTrli61| title=Peter Scolari Marries Tracy Shayne, Tom Hanks Gives "Amazing" Toast| last=Eggenberger| first=Nicole| date=October 4, 2013| magazine=[[Us Weekly]]| access-date=September 9, 2018| language=en-US}}</ref>


=== 1991–2011: Established roles ===
A 2014 episode of ''[[Oprah: Where Are They Now?]]'' brought up Scolari's substance abuse and his struggle with [[bipolar disorder]].<ref>{{cite episode| title=Ralph Macchio, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Kenny Loggins & Peter Scolari| series=Oprah: Where Are They Now?| credits=Exec Prod. Julie Simpson, Jill Van Lokern, and Jonathan Sinclair; Co-Exec. Prod. Heather Aldridge. CEO/Chief Creat. Off. Oprah Winfrey| network=Oprah Winfrey Network| air-date=January 10, 2014}}</ref>
In 1993, Scolari starred in the series ''[[Family Album (1993 TV series)|Family Album]]'' about a couple who move with their children back to their hometown of [[Philadelphia]] to be closer to their aging parents.<ref name=BECK>{{cite news |last=Beck |first=Marilyn |date=July 13, 1993 |title=Peter Scolari happy to return to TV sitcom |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/259978680/ |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |page=3C |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Actress [[Gina Hecht]] was initially selected to play the wife of Scolari's character, but was replaced by [[Pamela Reed]] just two days before the show's pilot was shot.<ref name=BECK/> Scolari told the ''[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]'' in 1993 that he and Reed had "instant rapport", however the show lasted one season.<ref name=BECK/><ref>{{cite news |last=Gorman |first=Gary |date=November 13, 1993 |title=Bad Reception |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282136804/ |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=1 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Two years later he starred in the series ''[[Dweebs (TV series)|Dweebs]]'', which centers around the employees of a software firm.<ref name=ENDRST>{{cite news |last=Endrst |first=James |date=August 18, 1995 |title=Of megabytes and 'dweebs' |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/255711190/ |work=[[The Hartford Courant]] |page=E1 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Scolari plays Warren Mosbey, the company's eccentric, socially-inept, tech-genius owner.<ref name=ENDRST/> The show was cancelled after one season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jicha |first=Tom |date=November 3, 1995 |title='Dweebs,' 'Bonnie Hunt' rubbed out |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/388639890/ |work=[[Sun Sentinel]] |page=4E |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1996, Scolari also starred as Littlechap in a version of the stage musical ''[[Stop the World – I Want to Get Off]]'', produced for the [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E television network]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Koehler |first=Robert |date=March 9, 1996 |title=TV Reviews; 'Stop the World' Raises Questions |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/293236373/ |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=22 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>


Scolari appeared in such [[off-Broadway]] productions as ''Old Man Joseph and His Family'', ''[[The Exonerated (play)|The Exonerated]]'', ''[[In the Wings (play)|In the Wings]]'', ''It Must Be Him'' and ''[[White's Lies]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Peter&last=Scolari&middle=| title=Peter Scolari| website=Internet Off-Broadway Database| access-date=May 27, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008073524/http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Peter&last=Scolari&middle=| archive-date=October 8, 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref> Scolari starred in ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show]]'' over the show's three seasons.<ref name=GENZLINGER/> Scolari plays inventor Wayne Szalinski, the role originally played by [[Rick Moranis]] in the ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (franchise)|Honey, I Shrunk the Kids]]'' series of films.<ref name=GENZLINGER/> During the show's run, he also played astronaut [[Pete Conrad]] in the 1998 miniseries ''[[From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries)|From the Earth to the Moon]]'', co-produced by Hanks, [[Ron Howard]] and [[Brian Grazer]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Luaine |date=January 19, 1999 |title=Scolari's fresh start Disney series puts actor back on his feet in new home, new life |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/391527993/ |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |page=C7 | access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Scolari appeared on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in the musical ''[[Hairspray (musical)|Hairspray]]'', as Wilbur Turnblad.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lowry |first=Mark |date=April 14, 2006 |title='Hairspray' The True Hollywood (Squares) Story |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/649885356/ |work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |page=144 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Scolari and Hanks also provided voices in the 2004 animated film ''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]''.<ref name=GENZLINGER/>
Scolari was an avid juggler<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Barbara |date=October 1, 2016 |title=Where actor Peter Scolari likes to juggle |url=https://nypost.com/2016/10/01/where-actor-peter-scolari-likes-to-juggle/ |newspaper=[[New York Post]]}}</ref> and occasionally showcased his talents on television, including a performance during the 1982 ''[[Circus of the Stars]]'' and in talk-show appearances.


=== 2012–2021: Resurgence with ''Girls'' ===
==Death==
In 2012 he acted playing various roles including [[Pat Riley]], [[Red Auerbach]], [[Jerry Buss]], [[Bob Woolf]] in the play ''[[Magic/Bird]]'' on Broadway. He later had a recurring role as Tad Horvath, the father of [[Lena Dunham]]'s character on the [[HBO]] [[coming-of-age]] comedy-drama ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]'' from 2012 to 2017. He won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]] in 2016.<ref name=GENZLINGER/> In 2013, he returned to Broadway in the [[Nora Ephron]]'s newspaper play ''[[Lucky Guy (play)|Lucky Guy]]'', which reunited him with his ''Bosom Buddies'' co-star [[Tom Hanks]].<ref name=GENZLINGER/> He played [[Gotham City]]'s corrupt police commissioner [[Gillian B. Loeb]] in [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s superhero crime drama ''[[Gotham (TV series)|Gotham]]'' from 2014 to 2019.<ref name=SCHUDEL/> In 2014, he portrayed [[Yogi Berra]] in the [[Eric Simonson]] sports play ''[[Bronx Bombers (play)|Bronx Bombers]]'' on Broadway.<ref name=SCHUDEL/> His wife, Tracy Shayne, played Berra's wife Carmen.<ref name=SCHUDEL/>
Scolari died from [[leukemia]] in [[Manhattan]] on October 22, 2021, at age 66.<ref name="nytobit">{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/arts/peter-scolari-dead.html| title=Peter Scolari, 'Newhart' and 'Girls' Actor, Is Dead at 66| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| date=October 22, 2021| accessdate=October 22, 2021| last=Genzlinger| first=Neil| url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/peter-scolari-dead/2021/10/22/9d8c2820-3358-11ec-9241-aad8e48f01ff_story.html| newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]| title=Peter Scolari, stage and TV actor who won an Emmy for 'Girls,' dies at 66| last=Schudel| first=Matt| date=October 22, 2021| accessdate=October 22, 2021| url-access=subscription}}</ref> He had been diagnosed with the disease two years earlier.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/10/22/peter-scolari-dies-emmy-winning-actor-dies-stars-pay-tribute/6136406001/| title=Actor Peter Scolari, of 'Bosom Buddies,' 'Newhart' and 'Girls' fame, dies at 66| newspaper=[[USA Today]]| last=Oliver| first=David| date=October 22, 2021| accessdate=October 22, 2021}}</ref>
Scolari returned to [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in the musical ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', as a replacement playing the [[Wizard of Oz (character)|Wizard of Oz]] from 2016 to 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=David |date=October 22, 2021 |title=Actor Peter Scolari, of 'Bosom Buddies,' 'Newhart' and 'Girls' fame, dies at 66 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2584454323/ |work=[[USA Today]] (Online) |access-date=September 4, 2023 |via=[[ProQuest]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He played the role of a show business manager in the 2019 biographical [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] miniseries ''[[Fosse/Verdon]]'', and played Bishop Marx on the series ''[[Evil (TV series)|Evil]]'', from 2019 until his death.<ref name=SCHUDEL/>


==Personal life==
== Filmography ==
=== Marriages and family ===
Scolari was married four times. His first marriage was to Brooklyn attorney Lisa Kretzchmar.<ref name=BRENNAN/> They divorced in 1983.<ref name=BRENNAN/> He married Debra Steagal, a costume designer he met while filming ''[[The Rosebud Beach Hotel]]'', in 1986 and they had two children.<ref name=SCHUDEL/><ref name=BRENNAN/> He later wed actress Cathy Trien, with whom he also had two children.<ref name=SCHUDEL/> In 2013 he married his longtime girlfriend, actress Tracy Shayne.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/peter-scolari-marries-tracy-shayne-tom-hanks-gives-amazing-toast-2013410/#ixzz2tRTrli61| title=Peter Scolari Marries Tracy Shayne, Tom Hanks Gives "Amazing" Toast| last=Eggenberger| first=Nicole| date=October 4, 2013| magazine=[[Us Weekly]]| access-date=September 9, 2018| language=en-US}}</ref> The couple remained together until Scolari's death.<ref name=GENZLINGER/>

=== Illness and death ===
Scolari's struggles with substance abuse and [[bipolar disorder]] were featured on a 2014 episode of ''[[Oprah: Where Are They Now?]]''.<ref name=SCHUDEL/><ref>{{cite episode| title=Ralph Macchio, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Kenny Loggins & Peter Scolari| series=Oprah: Where Are They Now?| credits=Exec Prod. Julie Simpson, Jill Van Lokern, and Jonathan Sinclair; Co-Exec. Prod. Heather Aldridge. CEO/Chief Creat. Off. Oprah Winfrey| network=Oprah Winfrey Network| air-date=January 10, 2014}}</ref> Scolari died from [[leukemia]] in [[Manhattan]] on October 22, 2021, at age 66.<ref name="nytobit">{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/arts/peter-scolari-dead.html| title=Peter Scolari, 'Newhart' and 'Girls' Actor, Is Dead at 66| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| date=October 22, 2021| accessdate=October 22, 2021| last=Genzlinger| first=Neil| url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/peter-scolari-dead/2021/10/22/9d8c2820-3358-11ec-9241-aad8e48f01ff_story.html| newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]| title=Peter Scolari, stage and TV actor who won an Emmy for 'Girls,' dies at 66| last=Schudel| first=Matt| date=October 22, 2021| accessdate=October 22, 2021| url-access=subscription}}</ref> He had been diagnosed with the disease two years earlier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/10/22/peter-scolari-dies-emmy-winning-actor-dies-stars-pay-tribute/6136406001/|title=Actor Peter Scolari, of 'Bosom Buddies,' 'Newhart' and 'Girls' fame, dies at 66|work=[[USA Today]]| last=Oliver| first=David| date=October 22, 2021| accessdate=October 22, 2021}}</ref>

== Acting credits ==
=== Film ===
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Year
!Title
!Title
Line 59: Line 63:
|''Take Off''
|''Take Off''
|Kookie
|Kookie
|Segment: "1950s"
|Segment: "1950s" (Credited as Barney Tramble)
|-
|-
|1984
|1984
Line 84: Line 88:
|''[[Camp Nowhere]]''
|''[[Camp Nowhere]]''
|Donald Himmel
|Donald Himmel
|
| rowspan="4" |
|-
|-
|1996
|1996
|''[[That Thing You Do!]]''
|''[[That Thing You Do!]]''
|Troy Chesterfield
|Troy Chesterfield
|
|-
|-
|2002
|2002
|''[[Sorority Boys]]''
|''[[Sorority Boys]]''
|Louis
|Louis
|
|-
|-
|2004
|2004
|''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]''
|''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]''
|Billy - Lonely Boy
|Billy the Lonely Boy
| [[Motion capture]] only
|-
|-
|2005
|2005
|''[[Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D]]''
|''[[Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D]]''
|[[Pete Conrad]]
|[[Pete Conrad]]
|Voice, documentary short
|Voice; Documentary
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |2006
|rowspan=2|2006
|''[[Mentor (film)|Mentor]]''
|''[[Mentor (film)|Mentor]]''
|Jonathan Parks
|Jonathan Parks
|
| rowspan="7" |
|-
|-
|''Cathedral Pines''
|''Cathedral Pines''
|Father Mike McGary
|Father Mike McGary
|
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |2007
|rowspan=2|2007
|''[[Suburban Girl]]''
|''[[Suburban Girl]]''
|Mickey Lamm
|Mickey Lamm
Line 117: Line 125:
|''[[A Plumm Summer]]''
|''[[A Plumm Summer]]''
|Agent Hardigan
|Agent Hardigan
|
|-
|-
|2012
|2012
|''Letting Go''
|''Letting Go''
|Bill
|Bill
|
|-
|-
|2016
|2016
|''[[Dean (film)|Dean]]''
|''[[Dean (film)|Dean]]''
|Patrick
|Patrick
|
|-
|-
|2018
|2018
| [[All You Can Eat (film)|All You Can Eat]]
| ''All You Can Eat''
|Dr. Zakreski
|Dr. Zakreski
|
|-
|-
|2020
|2020
|''[[Looks That Kill (film)|Looks That Kill]]''
|''[[Looks That Kill (film)|Looks That Kill]]''
|Paul Richardson
|Paul Richardson
| Final film role
|}
|}


=== Television ===
=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Year
! Title
! Title
Line 158: Line 171:
|1980–1982
|1980–1982
|''[[Bosom Buddies]]''
|''[[Bosom Buddies]]''
|Henry Desmond / Hildegarde 'Hilde' Desmond
|Henry Desmond <br /> Hildegarde 'Hilde' Desmond
|37 episodes
|37 episodes
|-
|-
Line 202: Line 215:
|''[[Newhart]]''
|''[[Newhart]]''
|Michael Harris
|Michael Harris
|142 episodes
|142 episodes<br />Nominated — [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series]] {{small|(1987–1989)}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="5" |1986
| rowspan="5" |1986
Line 218: Line 231:
|-
|-
|''{{sortname|The|Love Boat}}''
|''{{sortname|The|Love Boat}}''
|Frank Hobbs, Wellington David Rothmeyer
|Frank Hobbs <br /> Wellington David Rothmeyer
|3 episodes
|3 episodes
|-
|-
Line 239: Line 252:
|1988
|1988
|''{{sortname|The|Twilight Zone|The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)}}''
|''{{sortname|The|Twilight Zone|The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)}}''
|Delos of Atlantis / Leonard Randall
|Delos of Atlantis <br /> Leonard Randall
|Episode: "[[The Trance (The Twilight Zone)|The Trance]]"
|Episode: "[[The Trance (The Twilight Zone)|The Trance]]"
|-
|-
Line 277: Line 290:
|David Katz
|David Katz
|-
|-
|1992
|rowspan=2|1992
|''{{sortname|The|House on Sycamore Street}}''
|''{{sortname|The|House on Sycamore Street}}''
|Dr. Zachary 'Zach' Drummond
|Dr. Zachary 'Zach' Drummond
|-
|-
|1992
|''[[Nurses (American TV series)|Nurses]]''
|''[[Nurses (American TV series)|Nurses]]''
|George Myrock
|George Myrock
Line 288: Line 300:
|1992–1995
|1992–1995
|''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''
|''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''
|John Hamner, [[Terrible Trio|Gunther Hardwicke / Shark]]
|John Hamner <br /> [[Terrible Trio|Gunther Hardwicke / Shark]]
|Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Peter Scolari (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Peter-Scolari/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
|Voice, 2 episodes
|-
|-
|1993
|1993
Line 308: Line 320:
|1993–1994
|1993–1994
|''[[Animaniacs]]''
|''[[Animaniacs]]''
|Wilford B. Wolf, Driver
|Wilford Wolf, Driver
|Voice, 2 episodes
|Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|1994
|rowspan=3|1994
|''[[Burke's Law (1994 TV series)|Burke's Law]]''
|''[[Burke's Law (1994 TV series)|Burke's Law]]''
|Johnny Lake
|Johnny Lake
|Episode: "Who Killed the Host at the Roast?"
|Episode: "Who Killed the Host at the Roast?"
|-
|-
|1994
|''[[Empty Nest]]''
|''[[Empty Nest]]''
|Dieter Dietz
|Dieter Dietz
|Episode: "Brotherly Shove"
|Episode: "Brotherly Shove"
|-
|-
|1994
|''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]''
|''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]''
|Stuart Hofferman
|Stuart Hofferman
Line 352: Line 362:
|''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]''
|''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]''
|Preston Vogel
|Preston Vogel
|Voice, 5 episodes
|Voice, 5 episodes<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
| rowspan="5" |1996
| rowspan="5" |1996
Line 389: Line 399:
|''[[Pinky and the Brain]]''
|''[[Pinky and the Brain]]''
|Weird Guy, Mr. Perfect
|Weird Guy, Mr. Perfect
|Voice, 2 episodes
|Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|1997–2000
|1997–2000
Line 403: Line 413:
|''[[Hey Arnold!]]''
|''[[Hey Arnold!]]''
|Doug
|Doug
|Voice, episode: "Stinky Goes Hollywood/Olga Gets Engaged"
|Voice, episode: "Stinky Goes Hollywood/Olga Gets Engaged"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|2000
|2000
Line 462: Line 472:
|''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''
|''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''
|[[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Ray Palmer / Atom]]
|[[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Ray Palmer / Atom]]
|Episode: "Sword of the Atom!"
|Voice, episode: "Sword of the Atom!"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
| 2012–2017
| 2012–2017
| ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]''
| ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]''
| Tad Horvath
| Tad Horvath
| Recurring role; 21 episodes
| Recurring role, 21 episodes<br />[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]] {{small|(2016)}}<br />Nominated — [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series]] {{small|(2012)}}
|-
|-
|2013
|2013
Line 513: Line 523:
| 2019–2021
| 2019–2021
| ''[[Evil (TV series)|Evil]]''
| ''[[Evil (TV series)|Evil]]''
| Bishop Thomas Marx
| Bishop Thomas Marx
| Recurring role, 9 episodes
| Recurring role, 9 episodes
|-
|-
Line 525: Line 535:
| Dave Debusher
| Dave Debusher
| 2 episodes
| 2 episodes
|}

=== Theatre ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Venue
!class=unsortable|Refs.
|-
|2003
| ''[[Hairspray (musical)|Hairspray]]''
| Wilbur Turnblad <small> (replacement) </small>
| [[Neil Simon Theatre]], Broadway
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.playbill.com/production/hairspray-neil-simon-theatre-vault-0000000844|title= Hairspray (Broadway, 2002)|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 12, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|2004
| ''[[Sly Fox]]''
| Chief of Police
| [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]], Broadway
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.playbill.com/production/sly-fox-ethel-barrymore-theatre-vault-0000004295|title= Sly Fox (Broadway, 2004)|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|2012
| ''[[Magic/Bird]]''
| [[Pat Riley]] / [[Red Auerbach]] / [[Jerry Buss]] / [[Bob Woolf]]
| [[Longacre Theatre]], Broadway
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.playbill.com/production/magic-bird-longacre-theatre-vault-0000013868|title= Magic/Bird (Broadway, 2012)|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|2013
| ''[[Lucky Guy (play)|Lucky Guy]]''
| Michael Daly
| [[Broadhurst Theatre]], Broadway
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.playbill.com/production/lucky-guy-broadhurst-theatre-vault-0000013987|title= Lucky Guy (Broadway, 2013)|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|2014
| ''[[Bronx Bombers (play)|Bronx Bombers]]''
| [[Yogi Berra]]
| [[Circle in the Square Theatre]], Broadway
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.playbill.com/production/bronx-bombers-circle-in-the-square-theatre-vault-0000014042|title= Bronx Bombers (Broadway, 2014)|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|2016–2017
| ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]''
| [[Wizard of Oz (character)|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]] <small> (replacement) </small>
| [[Gershwin Theatre]], Broadway
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.playbill.com/production/wicked-george-gershwin-theatre-vault-0000011020|title= Wicked (Broadway, 2003)|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
! class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| [[39th Primetime Emmy Awards|1987]] || rowspan=3|[[Primetime Emmy Award]] || rowspan=3|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series]] || rowspan=3|''[[Newhart]]'' || {{nom}} || <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1987|title= 39th Primetime Emmy Awards|website= Television Academy|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[40th Primetime Emmy Awards|1988]] || {{nom}} || <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1988|title= 40th Primetime Emmy Awards|website= Television Academy|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[41st Primetime Emmy Awards|1989]] || {{nom}} || <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1989|title= 41st Primetime Emmy Awards|website= Television Academy|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[2nd Critics' Choice Television Awards|2012]]
| [[Critics' Choice Television Award]]
| [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series|Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series]]
| rowspan=2| ''[[Girls (TV series)|Girls]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/community-mad-man-and-parks-rec-lead-critics%E2%80%99-choice-tv-awards-nominations/|title= Critics' Choice TV Awards Noms: 'Community' At Top Of List|website= [[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927055141/http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/community-mad-man-and-parks-rec-lead-critics%E2%80%99-choice-tv-awards-nominations/|accessdate= May 12, 2024|archive-date= September 27, 2013}}</ref>
|-
| [[68th Primetime Emmy Awards|2016]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2016|title= 68th Primetime Emmy Awards|website= Television Academy|accessdate= May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|}
|}


Line 531: Line 618:


== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|0778642}}
* {{IMDb name|0778642}}
*{{Discogs artist|Peter Scolari}}
* {{Discogs artist|Peter Scolari}}
*{{IBDB name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes person|peter_scolari}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|peter_scolari}}


{{EmmyAward ComedyGuestActor}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyGuestActor}}
Line 543: Line 630:
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male stage actors]]
[[Category:American male stage actors]]
Line 550: Line 635:
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Deaths from leukemia in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Deaths from leukemia]]
[[Category:Edgemont Junior – Senior High School alumni]]
[[Category:Edgemont Junior – Senior High School alumni]]
[[Category:Male actors from New Rochelle, New York]]
[[Category:Male actors from New Rochelle, New York]]

Latest revision as of 13:04, 26 October 2024

Peter Scolari
Scolari in 2010
Born
Peter Thomas Scolari

(1955-09-12)September 12, 1955
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 22, 2021(2021-10-22) (aged 66)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1978–2021
Spouses
  • Lisa Kretzchmar
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1981; div. 1983)​
  • Debra Steagal
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1986; div. 1996)​
  • Cathy Trien
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1998; div. 2004)​
  • Tracy Shayne
    ​
    (m. 2013)​
Children4

Peter Thomas Scolari (September 12, 1955 – October 22, 2021)[1] was an American actor. He was best known for his roles as Henry Desmond in the ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies (1980–1982) and Michael Harris on the CBS sitcom Newhart (1984–1990) the later of which earned him three consecutive nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 1987 to 1989.

Scolari had roles as Wayne Szalinski in the Disney sitcom Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997–2000) and as Tad Horvath in the HBO series Girls (2012–2017), the latter of which earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. He had recurring roles as Gillian B. Loeb in the superhero crime series Gotham (2015) and Bishop Thomas Marx in the supernatural series Evil (2019–2021).

He acted in the films The Rosebud Beach Hotel (1984), Corporate Affairs (1990), That Thing You Do! (1996), and The Polar Express (2004). On stage, he portrayed Yogi Berra in the play Bronx Bombers (2014) and acted in the Larry Gelbart's Sly Fox (2004), Eric Simonson's Magic/Bird (2012), and Nora Ephron's Lucky Girl (2013). He also acted in replacement roles in the musicals Hairspray in 2003 and Wicked in 2016.

Early life and education

[edit]

Scolari was born in New Rochelle, New York, to Arthur and Barbara (née Fay) Scolari, and was raised in Scarsdale along with an older sister and two younger brothers.[2][3][4] His father was of Italian descent and played semi-professional baseball before becoming a lawyer.[2] His mother was a singer prior to meeting Scolari's father and later worked with the Alcohol Rehabilitation arm of the Tidewater Psychiatric Institute in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[2][4] In an interview with the Toronto Star Scolari said that his father was a psychologically abusive, "rageful man", and that his mother struggled with alcoholism.[5] Scolari added that his parents "stayed together for the kids and also because they were hopelessly in love with each other, but they were totally incompatible."[5]

At the age of 13 Scolari did some animation voice acting work and performed in plays while attending Edgemont High School in Scarsdale, where he also participated in football, baseball and track.[3] At 16 years of age he starred as Finch in a high school production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and came to the realization that he wanted to be an actor professionally.[6]

In 1972, he enrolled at Occidental College in Los Angeles as a theater arts major, but left a year later and returned to New York after his father died.[2][3] He joined the Colonnades Theatre Lab, a repertory theatre in Manhattan, working with actors such as Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Jeff Goldblum and Michael O'Keefe.[2][5] Scolari was also working on a degree in comparative literature at City College of New York.[2] During this time, Scolari appeared in multiple off-Broadway plays and met Finnish actor Paavo Tammim, who taught him to juggle.[7] He also studied mime and learned to ride a unicycle.[2][8] His performance in a 1974 production of "Reflections" received a rave review from The New York Times.[4] In 1979 he returned to Los Angeles.[7]

Career

[edit]

1978–1990: Bosom Buddies and Newhart

[edit]

Credited under pseudonym Barney Tramble, Scolari's first film role was in the 1978 X rated film Take Off.[9] He played a teenager named Kookie and his performance did not involve nudity.[9] Scolari was signed to do an NBC pilot in 1979 titled The Further Adventures Of Wally Brown, a show that did not get picked up.[2] He starred in the short-lived 1980 sitcom Goodtime Girls as Benny, the juggling neighbor of the title characters.[2] His big break came when he was cast with Tom Hanks in the 1980 sitcom, Bosom Buddies.[2] Scolari and Hanks play a couple of advertising copywriters who disguise themselves as women in order to live in an affordable New York apartment — a women's-only residence called the Susan B. Anthony Hotel.[1] A different actor had initially been cast alongside Hanks, but things didn't work out.[6] Scolari happened to be playing a guest role on an adjacent sound stage and was auditioned for the role.[6] The show's pilot was shot a few days later.[6] Scolari played Henry Desmond, whose female pseudonym was Hildegard, and Hanks played Kip Wilson, who went by the name Buffy.[10] Bosom Buddies started out with good ratings, but failed to hold the public's interest and was canceled after two seasons and 37 episodes. His next starring role was in the 1983 sitcom Baby Makes Five, which was cancelled after only five episodes.[2]

He starred in the 1984 comedy film The Rosebud Beach Hotel, about a couple — played by Scolari and Colleen Camp — who turn their hotel into a brothel, by hiring sex workers to work as bellhops.[11] That same year Scolari joined the cast of Newhart as Michael Harris, a preppily-dressed, wannabe yuppie, and local TV producer of the fictional talk show "Vermont Today".[6][12] Harris was a recurring character in the show's second season and the character was so popular with audiences that executive producer Barry Kemp signed Scolari to be a regular cast member in the show's following season, before it was even confirmed that there would be a third season.[13] His role earned Scolari three Emmy nominations for best supporting actor in a comedy and remained with the show until its conclusion in 1990.[6] During this time, Scolari also got to showcase his vaudevillian talents during three episodes of the annual television special, Circus of the Stars, including juggling with knives and fire, as well as juggling on a tightrope.[7] Scolari once again worked with Hanks on his directorial debut, That Thing You Do! about a fictional 1960s rock band called the Wonders.[14] Scolari plays the role of Troy Chesterfield, the host of a variety show on which the Wonders appear.[14]

1991–2011: Established roles

[edit]

In 1993, Scolari starred in the series Family Album about a couple who move with their children back to their hometown of Philadelphia to be closer to their aging parents.[15] Actress Gina Hecht was initially selected to play the wife of Scolari's character, but was replaced by Pamela Reed just two days before the show's pilot was shot.[15] Scolari told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 1993 that he and Reed had "instant rapport", however the show lasted one season.[15][16] Two years later he starred in the series Dweebs, which centers around the employees of a software firm.[17] Scolari plays Warren Mosbey, the company's eccentric, socially-inept, tech-genius owner.[17] The show was cancelled after one season.[18] In 1996, Scolari also starred as Littlechap in a version of the stage musical Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, produced for the A&E television network.[19]

Scolari appeared in such off-Broadway productions as Old Man Joseph and His Family, The Exonerated, In the Wings, It Must Be Him and White's Lies.[20] Scolari starred in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show over the show's three seasons.[6] Scolari plays inventor Wayne Szalinski, the role originally played by Rick Moranis in the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids series of films.[6] During the show's run, he also played astronaut Pete Conrad in the 1998 miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, co-produced by Hanks, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.[21] Scolari appeared on Broadway in the musical Hairspray, as Wilbur Turnblad.[22] Scolari and Hanks also provided voices in the 2004 animated film The Polar Express.[6]

2012–2021: Resurgence with Girls

[edit]

In 2012 he acted playing various roles including Pat Riley, Red Auerbach, Jerry Buss, Bob Woolf in the play Magic/Bird on Broadway. He later had a recurring role as Tad Horvath, the father of Lena Dunham's character on the HBO coming-of-age comedy-drama Girls from 2012 to 2017. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2016.[6] In 2013, he returned to Broadway in the Nora Ephron's newspaper play Lucky Guy, which reunited him with his Bosom Buddies co-star Tom Hanks.[6] He played Gotham City's corrupt police commissioner Gillian B. Loeb in Fox's superhero crime drama Gotham from 2014 to 2019.[1] In 2014, he portrayed Yogi Berra in the Eric Simonson sports play Bronx Bombers on Broadway.[1] His wife, Tracy Shayne, played Berra's wife Carmen.[1] Scolari returned to Broadway in the musical Wicked, as a replacement playing the Wizard of Oz from 2016 to 2017.[23] He played the role of a show business manager in the 2019 biographical FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon, and played Bishop Marx on the series Evil, from 2019 until his death.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Marriages and family

[edit]

Scolari was married four times. His first marriage was to Brooklyn attorney Lisa Kretzchmar.[3] They divorced in 1983.[3] He married Debra Steagal, a costume designer he met while filming The Rosebud Beach Hotel, in 1986 and they had two children.[1][3] He later wed actress Cathy Trien, with whom he also had two children.[1] In 2013 he married his longtime girlfriend, actress Tracy Shayne.[24] The couple remained together until Scolari's death.[6]

Illness and death

[edit]

Scolari's struggles with substance abuse and bipolar disorder were featured on a 2014 episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?.[1][25] Scolari died from leukemia in Manhattan on October 22, 2021, at age 66.[26][27] He had been diagnosed with the disease two years earlier.[28]

Acting credits

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1978 Take Off Kookie Segment: "1950s" (Credited as Barney Tramble)
1984 The Rosebud Beach Hotel Elliot Garner
1986 Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures Mr. Bill Short film
1990 Corporate Affairs Simon Tanner
1993 Ticks Charles Danson Video
1994 Camp Nowhere Donald Himmel
1996 That Thing You Do! Troy Chesterfield
2002 Sorority Boys Louis
2004 The Polar Express Billy the Lonely Boy Motion capture only
2005 Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D Pete Conrad Voice; Documentary
2006 Mentor Jonathan Parks
Cathedral Pines Father Mike McGary
2007 Suburban Girl Mickey Lamm
A Plumm Summer Agent Hardigan
2012 Letting Go Bill
2016 Dean Patrick
2018 All You Can Eat Dr. Zakreski
2020 Looks That Kill Paul Richardson Final film role

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1979 Wally Brown Douglas Burdett Unknown episode
Angie Kenny Episode: "The Thief"
1980 Goodtime Girls Benny Loman 13 episodes
1980–1982 Bosom Buddies Henry Desmond
Hildegarde 'Hilde' Desmond 		37 episodes
1982 Circus of the Stars #7 Himself TV special
Remington Steele Albie Fervitz Episode: "Steele Waters Run Deep"
Missing Children: A Mother's Story Woody Television film
1983 Carpool Robert Duff
Happy Days Jake Episode: "May the Best Man Win"
Baby Makes Five Eddie Riddle 5 episodes
1984 Amazons Dr. Jerry Menzies Television film
Finder of Lost Loves Ted Caton Episode: "A Gift"
Steambath Paul Episode: "Tandy's Legacy"
1984–1990 Newhart Michael Harris 142 episodes
1986 Hotel Tom Episode: "Shadows of Doubt: Part 1"
Family Ties Paul Kenter Episode "Once in Love with Elyse"
You Are the Jury Stephen Best Episode: "The State of Ohio vs. James Wolsky"
The Love Boat Frank Hobbs
Wellington David Rothmeyer 		3 episodes
Fresno Waiter Television film
1987 Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery Chris Robinson
The New Mike Hammer Andy Shales Episode: "Green Blizzard"
Harry Anderson's Sideshow performer
1988 The Twilight Zone Delos of Atlantis
Leonard Randall 		Episode: "The Trance"
1989 CBS Summer Playhouse Morgan Episode: "Microchips"
Trying Time Howard LaMotta Episode: "Death and Taxes"
The Ryan White Story David Day Television film
1990 Encyclopedia Brown Bandini Episode: "The Case of the Incredible Culpepper"
World's Greatest Magicians... At the Magic Castle Unknown Television film
1991 Danger Team Police Officer Shields
Fire: Trapped on the 37th Floor Paul DeWitt
Perfect Harmony Derek Sanders
Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin David Katz
1992 The House on Sycamore Street Dr. Zachary 'Zach' Drummond
Nurses George Myrock Episode: "Our Fred"
1992–1995 Batman: The Animated Series John Hamner
Gunther Hardwicke / Shark 		Voice, 2 episodes[29]
1993 Fallen Angels Clerk Episode: "I'll Be Waiting"
1993–1995 The Mommies Ken Ballantine 2 episodes
1993 Family Album Jonathan Lerner 6 episodes
1993–1994 Animaniacs Wilford Wolf, Driver Voice, 2 episodes[29]
1994 Burke's Law Johnny Lake Episode: "Who Killed the Host at the Roast?"
Empty Nest Dieter Dietz Episode: "Brotherly Shove"
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Stuart Hofferman Episode: "The Source"
1994, 2001 Touched by an Angel Charles Hibbard, Tim Albright 2 episodes
1994–1995 Dave's World Fred, Kenny's Boss 2 episodes
1995 A Whole New Ballgame Glenn 2 episodes
Dweebs Warren Mosbey 10 episodes
Can't Hurry Love Colin Episode: "Three Blind Dates"
1995–1996 Gargoyles Preston Vogel Voice, 5 episodes[29]
1996 The Home Court Kenyon Stanton Episode: "Syd & Sensibility"
The Drew Carey Show Councilman Kemp Episode: "What the Zoning Inspector Saw"
Stop the World, I Want to Get Off Littlechap Television film
Talk to Me Howard Grant
For Hope Date #2 (uncredited)
1997 Duckman Brad Voice, episode: "From Brad to Worse"
The Nanny Leslie Tilbert Episode: "The Bank Robbery"
George & Leo Dr. Michael Harris Episode: "The Cameo Episode"
1997–1998 Pinky and the Brain Weird Guy, Mr. Perfect Voice, 2 episodes[29]
1997–2000 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show Wayne Szalinski / Various 66 episodes
1998 From the Earth to the Moon Pete Conrad Episode: "Can We Do This?"
Hey Arnold! Doug Voice, episode: "Stinky Goes Hollywood/Olga Gets Engaged"[29]
2000 The Ultimate Christmas Present Edwin Hadley Television film
2001 Ally McBeal Hooley Episode: "Nine One One"
2002 Reba Parker Reynolds Episode: "The Story of a Divorce"
The King of Queens Ron Episode: "No Orleans"
ER Kyle Evans Episode: "Bygones"
The West Wing Antares C.E.O. Jake Kimball Episode: "Enemies Foreign and Domestic"
What I Like About You Dad Episode: "Pilot"
What's New, Scooby-Doo? Prof. Higginso Voice, episode: "Scooby-Doo Christmas"
2003 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Ringmaster Episode: "Cirque du Sabrina"
2005 Listen Up Andrew McKillop 2 episodes
2006 Big Love Seminary Teacher Episode: "Affair"
American Dad! Himself / Limo Driver Voice, episode: "Roger n' Me"
2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Ray Palmer / Atom Voice, episode: "Sword of the Atom!"[29]
2012–2017 Girls Tad Horvath Recurring role; 21 episodes
2013 White Collar Zimmer the Keymaster Episode: "Brass Tacks"
2015 Gotham Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb 5 episodes
Chopped Himself Episode: "Tournament of Stars: Actors"
2016 Madoff Peter Madoff 4 episodes
2017 Odd Mom Out Lawyer Episode: "Jury Doody"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dr. Dennis Barkley Episode: "Unintended Consequences"
2018 The Good Fight Greg Episode: "Day 436"
Murphy Brown Fred Noonan Episode: "The Wheels on the Dog Go Round and Round"
2019 Fosse/Verdon Mel 2 episodes
2019–2021 Evil Bishop Thomas Marx Recurring role, 9 episodes
2020 Blue Bloods Captain Higgins Episode: "Careful What You Wish For"
2021 Lisey's Story Dave Debusher 2 episodes

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue Refs.
2003 Hairspray Wilbur Turnblad (replacement) Neil Simon Theatre, Broadway [30]
2004 Sly Fox Chief of Police Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway [31]
2012 Magic/Bird Pat Riley / Red Auerbach / Jerry Buss / Bob Woolf Longacre Theatre, Broadway [32]
2013 Lucky Guy Michael Daly Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway [33]
2014 Bronx Bombers Yogi Berra Circle in the Square Theatre, Broadway [34]
2016–2017 Wicked The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (replacement) Gershwin Theatre, Broadway [35]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1987 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Newhart Nominated [36]
1988 Nominated [37]
1989 Nominated [38]
2012 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series Girls Nominated [39]
2016 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Won [40]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Schudel, Matt (October 24, 2021). "Comic actor won an Emmy for role in 'Girls,' was Tom Hanks's TV buddy". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Knutzen, Eirik (June 20, 1987). "Love that jerk! Times are good for Peter Scolari: the pay is great and work steady playing a yuppie jerk on Newhart". Toronto Star. p. S76. ProQuest 435580926. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Brennan, Patricia (March 12, 1989). "Crescendo or climax?". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "TV Spotlight: Peter Scolari". Casper Star-Tribune. April 28, 1985. p. 71. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c Ouzounian, Richard (September 20, 2008). "From tragedy, a comedian is born". The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Genzlinger, Neil (October 22, 2021). "Peter Scolari, 'Newhart' and 'Girls' Actor, Is Dead at 66". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Terry, Clifford (March 13, 1988). "Peter Scolari delves into shallow Michael". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ Burton Terry, Carol (August 10, 1986). "Off camera". Newsday. p. 62. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ a b "Newhart's 'Michael' once a porn star". The Rock Island Argus. April 24, 1988. p. G1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Abramovitch, Seth (March 16, 2023). "On Bosom Buddies, Tom Hanks Became a Star in Drag". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 429. p. 60. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ Maltin, Leonard (September 2, 2014). Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide. Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 9780698183612.
  12. ^ Baker, Kathryn (August 30, 1987). "Scolari has 'too much fun'". Sun Sentinel. p. 4. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  13. ^ Bianculli, David; Walstad, David; Shister, Gail (April 27, 1984). "A regular spot for a buddy". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D5. ProQuest 1819998511. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  14. ^ a b "'That Thing' reunites buddies Hanks, Scolari". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 19, 1996. p. D8. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  15. ^ a b c Beck, Marilyn (July 13, 1993). "Peter Scolari happy to return to TV sitcom". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 3C. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  16. ^ Gorman, Gary (November 13, 1993). "Bad Reception". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  17. ^ a b Endrst, James (August 18, 1995). "Of megabytes and 'dweebs'". The Hartford Courant. p. E1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  18. ^ Jicha, Tom (November 3, 1995). "'Dweebs,' 'Bonnie Hunt' rubbed out". Sun Sentinel. p. 4E. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  19. ^ Koehler, Robert (March 9, 1996). "TV Reviews; 'Stop the World' Raises Questions". Los Angeles Times. p. 22. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  20. ^ "Peter Scolari". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  21. ^ Lee, Luaine (January 19, 1999). "Scolari's fresh start Disney series puts actor back on his feet in new home, new life". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C7. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  22. ^ Lowry, Mark (April 14, 2006). "'Hairspray' The True Hollywood (Squares) Story". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 144. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Oliver, David (October 22, 2021). "Actor Peter Scolari, of 'Bosom Buddies,' 'Newhart' and 'Girls' fame, dies at 66". USA Today (Online). Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  24. ^ Eggenberger, Nicole (October 4, 2013). "Peter Scolari Marries Tracy Shayne, Tom Hanks Gives "Amazing" Toast". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  25. ^ Exec Prod. Julie Simpson, Jill Van Lokern, and Jonathan Sinclair; Co-Exec. Prod. Heather Aldridge. CEO/Chief Creat. Off. Oprah Winfrey (January 10, 2014). "Ralph Macchio, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Kenny Loggins & Peter Scolari". Oprah: Where Are They Now?. Oprah Winfrey Network.
  26. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (October 22, 2021). "Peter Scolari, 'Newhart' and 'Girls' Actor, Is Dead at 66". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  27. ^ Schudel, Matt (October 22, 2021). "Peter Scolari, stage and TV actor who won an Emmy for 'Girls,' dies at 66". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  28. ^ Oliver, David (October 22, 2021). "Actor Peter Scolari, of 'Bosom Buddies,' 'Newhart' and 'Girls' fame, dies at 66". USA Today. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  29. ^ a b c d e f "Peter Scolari (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 24, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  30. ^ "Hairspray (Broadway, 2002)". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "Sly Fox (Broadway, 2004)". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  32. ^ "Magic/Bird (Broadway, 2012)". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  33. ^ "Lucky Guy (Broadway, 2013)". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  34. ^ "Bronx Bombers (Broadway, 2014)". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  35. ^ "Wicked (Broadway, 2003)". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  36. ^ "39th Primetime Emmy Awards". Television Academy. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "40th Primetime Emmy Awards". Television Academy. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  38. ^ "41st Primetime Emmy Awards". Television Academy. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  39. ^ "Critics' Choice TV Awards Noms: 'Community' At Top Of List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  40. ^ "68th Primetime Emmy Awards". Television Academy. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
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