Actor Charles Grodin, whose dry wit and everyman persona led to long-running Hollywood success in films like “The Heartbreak Kid” and the unlikely family movie hit “Beethoven,” died peacefully Tuesday at his Connecticut home.
The 86-year-old Grodin died at his Wilton, Connecticut, residence of bone marrow cancer, his family announced.
Grodin’s chameleonic career saw him start with a small 1968 role in “Rosemary’s Baby,” achieve leading man status four years later with “The Heartbreak Kid,” and carry the family-friendly 1992 tale of a dog named “Beethoven” to box office success.
He famously co-starred with Robert De Niro in 1998′s hit comedy “Midnight Run,” playing a deadpan mob informant who traded one-liners with the bounty hunter played by De Niro.
On Broadway, he starred opposite Ellen Burstyn in “Same Time, Next Year,” and later went on to become a most-wanted guest for late-night hosts Johnny Carson and David Letterman before launching his own CNBC talk show.
“I loved Charles Grodin so much,” tweeted comedian Kathy Griffin. “Never mean spirited, just quick and brilliant.”
