Harris Yulin, a deeply respected actor whose commanding presence graced stages on Broadway, prominent film sets, and iconic television series for decades, died on June 10, 2025. He passed away in New York City due to cardiac arrest at the age of 87, his family and manager confirmed.
Known for his remarkable versatility and an ability to embody characters ranging from menacing authority figures to complex, nuanced individuals, Yulin built a prolific career encompassing over 130 productions. His work spanned genres and mediums, earning him critical acclaim and recognition, including an Emmy nomination.
A Storied Career Across Stage and Screen
Born on November 5, 1937, in Los Angeles, Yulin’s journey in the performing arts began in New York theater. He made his New York stage debut in 1963 and his Broadway debut came later in 1980 in a revival of Lillian Hellman’s Watch on the Rhine. He became a celebrated figure in the theater world, appearing in numerous significant Broadway productions such as The Visit, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Price, and Hedda Gabler, which marked his final Broadway appearance in 2001.
Beyond Broadway, Yulin was highly active Off-Broadway and in regional theater. His notable stage credits include Long Day’s Journey Into Night in Chicago, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Death of A Salesman in Dublin, and a role in Arthur Miller’s final play, Finishing The Picture.
Yulin’s distinctive voice and powerful on-screen presence led to memorable roles in numerous films. He is widely recognized for portraying gangster Mel Bernstein in Brian De Palma’s 1983 classic Scarface. Other prominent film appearances include Judge Stephen Wexler in Ghostbusters II, Clear and Present Danger, Training Day, Multiplicity, Rush Hour 2, Night Moves, The Hurricane, and Bean.
On television, Yulin was a familiar and welcome face. He had a significant recurring role as Buddy Dieker (also known as Jimmy Small) on the acclaimed Netflix series Ozark. His performance as crime boss Jerome Belasco on Frasier earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1996. His extensive television credits also include roles in popular series such as Veep, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, And Just Like That, Billions, Divorce, WIOU, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The X-Files, Cagney and Lacey, Little House on the Prairie, and Entourage.
Beyond Acting: Director and Educator
Yulin’s contributions to the arts extended beyond performing. He was also an accomplished director, helming productions including The Glass Menagerie, This Lime Tree Bower, and The Man Who Came to Dinner. He directed Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful, which had a successful extended run at The Signature Theater in New York, earning four Lucille Lortel Awards before transferring to Chicago.
Additionally, Yulin dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of actors. He taught for eight years at Juilliard, and also shared his expertise at The Graduate School of the Arts at Columbia University and HB Studios in Manhattan.
Final Projects and Legacy
At the time of his death, Yulin was actively preparing for new projects. He had been working with Stacy Keach and was scheduled to begin filming later in the week for a starring role in the upcoming MGM+ comedy series American Classic. He was cast as Linus Bean, the former artistic director of a family-run theater, opposite Kevin Kline and Laura Linney. His family noted he was particularly delighted to work on this project with director Michael Hoffman, who had previously directed him in the 2005 film Game 6, and with the many artists he admired.
While production on American Classic is continuing, the role Yulin was set to play will likely be recast.
Director Michael Hoffman paid tribute to Yulin, describing him as “very simply one of the greatest artists I have ever encountered.” Hoffman lauded Yulin’s unique ability to combine “immense technique with an always fresh sense of discovery,” which resulted in work possessing “an immediacy and vitality and purity.” He added that Yulin’s personal qualities—his “grace, the humility, the generosity”—mirrored his talents as an actor, stating that Yulin “will always remain the beating heart of our show.”
Harris Yulin is survived by his wife, Kristen Lowman, his son-in-law Ted Mineo, nephew Martin Crane, and godchildren Marco and Lara Greenberg. He was predeceased by his daughter, actress Claire Lucido. A memorial service is planned for a later date.
