Gus Ruelas/Reuters
Michael Lerner, the prolific character actor nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of a Louis B. Mayer proxy in Barton Fink, died on Saturday, according to his family. He was 81.
Lerner’s death was announced on Instagram by his nephew, The Goldbergs actor Sam Lerner. “We lost a legend last night,” Lerner wrote. “It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me.”
“His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special. Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was—in the best way.”