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Peter Scolari

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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 on Bosom Buddies (1980–1982), Michael Harris on Newhart (1984–1990), and Wayne Szalinski on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997–2000).

Scolari received three 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 in 2016.

Early life

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 as 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 Finish 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

Television

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 next starring role was in the 1983 sitcom Baby Makes Five.[2]

His big break came when he was cast with Tom Hanks the 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.[9]

Bosom Buddies was canceled in 1982 and in 1984 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][10] 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.[11] 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]

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.[12] 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.[12] Scolari told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 1993 that he and Reed had "instant rapport", however the show lasted one season.[12][13] Two years later he starred in the series Dweebs, which centers around the employees of a software firm.[14] Scolari plays Warren Mosbey, the company's eccentric, socially-inept, tech-genius owner.[14] The show was cancelled after one season.[15]

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.[16]

He later had a recurring role as, Tad Horvath, the father of Lena Dunham's character on HBO's Girls, for which he won an Emmy in 2016.[6] He played Gotham City’s corrupt police commissioner Gillian B. Loeb in Fox’s superhero crime drama Gotham from 2014 to 2019.[1] He played the role of a show business manager in the 2019 biographical miniseries Fosse/Verdon, and played Bishop Marx on the series Evil, from 2019 until his death.[1]

Theatre

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.[17]

Scolari appeared on Broadway in Wicked, as the Wizard of Oz;[18] in Hairspray, as Wilbur Turnblad;[19] and in Bronx Bombers, where he portrayed Yogi Berra.[1] His wife, Tracy Shayne, played Berra's wife Carmen.[1] He also appeared in Lucky Guy, which reunited him with his Bosom Buddies co-star Hanks.[6]

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.[20]

Film

Credited under pseudonym Barney Tramble, Scolari's first film role was in the 1978 X rated film Take Off.[21] He played a teenager named Kookie and his performance did not involve nudity.[21] 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.[22]

Scolari once again worked with Hanks on his directorial debut, That Thing You Do! about a fictional 1960s rock band called the Wonders.[23] Scolari plays the role of Troy Chesterfield, the host of a variety show on which the Wonders appear.[23] Scolari and Hanks also provided voices in the 2004 animated film "The Polar Express".[6]

Personal life

Scolari's struggles with substance abuse and bipolar disorder were featured on a 2014 episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?.[1][24]

Scolari has been married four times. His first marriage was to Brooklyn attorney Lisa Kretzchmar.[3] They divorced in 1983.[3] He was married to Debra Steagal in 1986, a costume designer that he met while filming The Rosebud Beach Hotel and with whom he 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.[25] The couple remained together until Scolari's death.[6]

Death

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]

Filmography

Film

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 - Lonely Boy
2005 Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D Pete Conrad Voice, documentary short
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

Television

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
Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (1987–1989)
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
1992 Nurses George Myrock Episode: "Our Fred"
1992–1995 Batman: The Animated Series John Hamner, Gunther Hardwicke / Shark Voice, 2 episodes
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 B. Wolf, Driver Voice, 2 episodes
1994 Burke's Law Johnny Lake Episode: "Who Killed the Host at the Roast?"
1994 Empty Nest Dieter Dietz Episode: "Brotherly Shove"
1994 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
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
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"
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 Episode: "Sword of the Atom!"
2012–2017 Girls Tad Horvath Recurring role, 21 episodes
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2016)
Nominated — Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series (2012)
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

References

  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. 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. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Baker, Kathryn (August 30, 1987). "Scolari has 'too much fun'". Sun Sentinel. p. 4. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ Bianculli, David; Walstad, David; Shister, Gail (April 27, 1984). "A regular spot for a buddy". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D5. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Gorman, Gary (November 13, 1993). "Bad Reception". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  14. ^ a b Endrst, James (August 18, 1995). "Of megabytes and `dweebs'". The Hartford Courant. p. E1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  15. ^ Jicha, Tom (November 3, 1995). "'Dweebs,' 'Bonnie Hunt' rubbed out". Sun Sentinel. p. 4E. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Peter Scolari". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Lowry, Mark (April 14, 2006). "'Hairspray' The True Hollywood (Squares) Story". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 144. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Koehler, Robert (March 9, 1996). "TV Reviews; 'Stop the World' Raises Questions". Los Angeles Times. p. 22. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Maltin, Leonard (September 2, 2014). Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide. Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 9780698183612.
  23. ^ a b "'That Thing' reunites buddies Hanks, Scolari". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 19, 1996. p. D8. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ Eggenberger, Nicole (October 4, 2013). "Peter Scolari Marries Tracy Shayne, Tom Hanks Gives "Amazing" Toast". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  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.
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