Peter Scolari
Peter Scolari | |
---|---|
Manhattan, New York , U.S. | |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1978–2021 |
Spouses |
|
Children | 4 |
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
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 was 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
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 Finnish 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 big break came when he was cast with
In 1984 Scolari joined the cast of
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
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
Film
Credited under pseudonym Barney Tramble, Scolari's first film role was in the 1978
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 was 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 the Lonely Boy | Motion capture only |
2005 | Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D | Pete Conrad | Voice Documentary |
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 | Final film role |
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 | |
Nurses | George Myrock | Episode: "Our Fred" | |
1992–1995 | Batman: The Animated Series | John Hamner, Gunther Hardwicke / Shark | Voice, 2 episodes[29] |
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 Wolf, Driver | Voice, 2 episodes[29] |
1994 | Burke's Law | Johnny Lake | Episode: "Who Killed the Host at the Roast?" |
Empty Nest | Dieter Dietz | Episode: "Brotherly Shove" | |
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[29] |
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[29] |
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"[29] | |
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 | Voice, episode: "Sword of the Atom!"[29] |
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
- ^ 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.
- ^ .
- ^ a b c d e f Brennan, Patricia (March 12, 1989). "Crescendo or climax?". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c "TV Spotlight: Peter Scolari". Casper Star-Tribune. April 28, 1985. p. 71. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ The Toronto Star. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Terry, Clifford (March 13, 1988). "Peter Scolari delves into shallow Michael". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Burton Terry, Carol (August 10, 1986). "Off camera". Newsday. p. 62. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Baker, Kathryn (August 30, 1987). "Scolari has 'too much fun'". Sun Sentinel. p. 4. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- .
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gorman, Gary (November 13, 1993). "Bad Reception". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ The Hartford Courant. p. E1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Jicha, Tom (November 3, 1995). "'Dweebs,' 'Bonnie Hunt' rubbed out". Sun Sentinel. p. 4E. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Peter Scolari". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lowry, Mark (April 14, 2006). "'Hairspray' The True Hollywood (Squares) Story". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 144. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Koehler, Robert (March 9, 1996). "TV Reviews; 'Stop the World' Raises Questions". Los Angeles Times. p. 22. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ The Rock Island Argus. April 24, 1988. p. G1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ISBN 9780698183612.
- ^ a b "'That Thing' reunites buddies Hanks, Scolari". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 19, 1996. p. D8. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Eggenberger, Nicole (October 4, 2013). "Peter Scolari Marries Tracy Shayne, Tom Hanks Gives "Amazing" Toast". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (October 22, 2021). "Peter Scolari, 'Newhart' and 'Girls' Actor, Is Dead at 66". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Oliver, David (October 22, 2021). "Actor Peter Scolari, of 'Bosom Buddies,' 'Newhart' and 'Girls' fame, dies at 66". USA Today. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Peter Scolari (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 24, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
External links
- Peter Scolari at IMDb
- Peter Scolari discography at Discogs
- Peter Scolari at the Internet Broadway Database
- Peter Scolari at Rotten Tomatoes