‘Rosemary’s Baby’, ‘King Kong’ and ‘Midnight Run’ Actor Charles Grodin Has Passed Away

We’ve learned the sad news today that legendary actor Charles Grodin has passed away at the age of 86. According to Grodin’s son Nicholas, he had been battling bone marrow cancer.

The Primetime Emmy-winning actor and writer only made a few stops in the horror genre throughout his career, but one of Charles Grodin’s first roles on the big screen came courtesy of the 1968 horror classic Rosemary’s Baby. Grodin played Dr. Hill, who Rosemary pays a visit to in the film. A decade later, Grodin played Fred Wilson in the 1976 version of King Kong.

Of course, Charles Grodin’s most notable roles are outside the genre, the comic actor starring in films including The Heartbreak Kid, Heaven Can Wait, Real Life, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, The Great Muppet Caper, Ishtar, Beethoven, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Clifford, and of course, 1988’s Golden Globe-nominated Midnight Run, alongside Robert De Niro.

On the small screen, Grodin’s credits include “The Young Marrieds,” “The Paul Simon Special,” “Fresno,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Louie,” and “Madoff.”

Deadline notes, “Charles Grodin is survived by his wife of 38 years, author Elissa Durwood Grodin, their son Nicholas, daughter-in-law Aubrey and granddaughter Geneva, and daughter Marion by a previous marriage. The family requests that friends and fans consider making a donation to The Innocence Project in his memory.”

The website adds, “Grodin received the William Kunstler Racial Justice Award and was praised by Governor Pataki for helping revise New York’s Rockefeller Drug Laws, and often said the accomplishment was that of which he was most proud because of its direct impact on improving the lives of others.”