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Actor Known for ‘Cagney & Lacey,’ ‘Meatballs’ Dead at 74

Jul 18, 2017  •  Post A Comment

An actor best known for his long run on the CBS series “Cagney & Lacey,” who also appeared in movies including “Meatballs” and in many other TV shows, has died. The AP reports that Harvey Atkin died Monday night after a battle with cancer. He was 74.

Atkin played summer camp director Morty in the 1979 comedy “Meatballs,” and had a long run as Ronald Coleman on “Cagney & Lacey” in the 1980s. More recently, he had a recurring role as Judge Alan Ridenour on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

A prolific voice actor, Atkin lent his voice to the TV shows “A.L.F.,” “Little Shop,” “Wish Kid,” “The Adventures of Tintin” and many other series. He was the voice of King Koopa and other characters on several “Mario Bros.” TV shows.

“But many knew him best for his breakout role in Ivan Reitman’s 1979 Bill Murray comedy,” the AP reports. “His mustached, bespectacled Morty Melnick — a heavy sleeper — was the target of numerous pranks by the camp counselors. The movie ended with Morty waking up on a raft in the middle of a lake.”

Here’s a homemade clip showing Atkin’s predicament at the end of “Meatballs” …

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