Bruce Solomon

Bruce Peter Solomon (born August 12, 1944) is an American television and film actor, best known for the roles of Sgt. Foley in the TV show Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Kenny Zuckerman in Beverly Hills, 90210.

Bruce Solomon
as Rabbi David Small in Lanigan's Rabbi, with co-star Art Carney
BornAugust 12, 1944 (1944-08-12) (age 76)

Life and career

Solomon was born August 12, 1944, in New York City.

Television and film

Solomon starred as the title character in the short-lived 1977 television series Lanigan's Rabbi,[2] but is best known for his portrayal of Sgt. Foley on the TV show, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.[1] His acting teacher, Joan Darling, one of the directors for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, chose him for that role, despite the fact that it was originally written as an older, middle-aged policeman.[3] When Solomon was cast in the role it was rewritten as a young, handsome, "ever-on-the-make" police officer.[3] He was also known for the role of Kenny Zuckerman in Beverly Hills, 90210.[3]

In addition to his role of Rabbi David Small in Lanigan's Rabbi,[4] he would also play a rabbi in the 2000 film, Harrison's Flowers.[5]

Solomon was part of the cast of the comedy series E/R, which included Elliott Gould, Jason Alexander, and Mary McDonnell.[2] His many guest star appearances in other series included Barney Miller and Resurrection Boulevard, and films including The Candidate and Foul Play.[2] One of his earliest movies was Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things, in 1972.[6] He was also in the 1986 TV movie, Maricela, about the daughter of an affluent American family who resents the daughter of the live-in maid from El Salvador.[7] The TV drama was produced for public television's WonderWorks series.[8]

In one of his most recent movie appearances, Solomon plays Edward Feldman, the Executive Producer of the television series Hogan's Heroes, in the 2002 film Auto Focus, the story of actor Bob Crane.[9] In that film, he has the well-known line to Crane, "Bob, don't try so hard. You're the hero of the show. It's named after you. Heroes don't try to be heroes. They simply are."[9] Another of his famous lines—from the film Foul Play with Goldie Hawn—was "The dwarf...beware the dwarf."[10]

Stage

In addition to his roles in film and television, Solomon has appeared on stage in a number of plays in the Los Angeles area, including a number of productions of the Elephant Theatre Company.[2] Among the productions in which he has appeared were Search and Destroy, Dearboy's War, and Greystone.[2] And, after playing a rabbi on television and film, he originated the role of Catholic priest Fr. Carney in the Hollywood Stella Adler Theatre world premiere of the play Friends of Frank, the story of the decision to cast Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront rather than Frank Sinatra.[11] The play was produced in 2005.[12][13]

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1972Children Shouldn't Play with Dead ThingsWinns
1978Foul PlayBob "Scotty" Scott
1986Night of the CreepsSgt. Raimi
2001HungerMr. Christie
2002Auto FocusEdward H. Feldman

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1973The Streets of San FranciscoDoctorEpisode - "Winterkill"
1975Harry OOfficialEpisode - "Tender Killing Care"
1975Barney MillerFlag SalesmanEpisode - "Horse Thief"
1976–77Mary Hartman, Mary HartmanSgt. Dennis FoleyMain cast (104 episodes)
1977Lanigan's RabbiRabbi David SmallMain cast (4 episodes)
1978The Love BoatBill EdwardsEpisode - "Too Hot to Handle/Family Reunion/Cinderella Story"
1979One Day at a TimeDr. GraysonEpisode - "Between Mother and Daughter"
1979Eight Is EnoughAndreEpisode - "Arrivals"
1983The Fall GuyCharlie BesterEpisode - "P.S. I Love You"
1984The Facts of LifeBill SimpsonEpisode - "The Summer of '84"
1984–85E/RMichael AlexanderRecurring role (5 episodes)
1985The A-TeamJorgeEpisode - "Uncle Buckle-Up"
1986FameDr. LindstromEpisode - "Choices"
1986The Twilight ZoneMr. MichaelsEpisode - "Monsters!"
1986Simon & SimonMitch LewisEpisode - "For the People"
1986MaricelaSam GannettTV movie
1986St. ElsewhereEhrlich's PatientEpisode - "Where There's Hope, There's Crosby"
1987A Year in the LifeBenEpisode - "Don't I Know You from Somewhere?"
1991Knots LandingTony GeraldEpisodes - "1001 Nights of Anne Matheson", "Lost at Sea"
1994Beverly Hills, 90210Kenny ZuckermanEpisode - "Scared Very Straight"

References

  1. IMDB.com, accessed February 17, 2011.
  2. filmbug.com, accessed February 17, 2011.
  3. TV.com, accessed February 17, 2011.
  4. IMDB:Lanigan's Rabbi, accessed February 17, 2011.]
  5. IMDB:Harrison's Flowers, accessed February 17, 2011.
  6. RottenTomatoes.com, accessed February 17, 2011.
  7. IMDB.com:Maricela, accessed February 18, 2011.
  8. LATimes.com, December 15, 1985, accessed February 18, 2011.
  9. SonyClassics.com, accessed February 17, 2011.
  10. Turner Classic Movies, accessed February 17, 2011.
  11. Goldstar.com, accessed February 18, 2011.
  12. Theatermania.com, accessed February 18, 2011.
  13. Variety review, "Friends of Frank," April 18, 2005, accessed February 18, 2011.
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