Jack Somack

Jack Somack (September 1, 1918 – August 24, 1983) was an American chemical engineer,[1] and actor. He is best remembered for his appearance in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" television commercial.[1][2]

Jack Somack
Born(1918-09-14)September 14, 1918
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedAugust 24, 1983(1983-08-24) (aged 64)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Chemical engineer, commercial, film, television and theatre actor
Years active1966–1983

Life and career

Somack was born in Chicago, Illinois.[3] He began his acting career in 1966, playing the lead role of Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge.[4][5]

In 1969 Somack appeared in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" commercial.[6][5] He also appeared in the Broadway plays Paris Is Out! and The Prisoner of Second Avenue.[3][7][8]

In the 1970s and 1980s Somack appeared and guest-starred in film and television programs including Barney Miller,[1] The Rockford Files, Portnoy's Complaint,[9] Sanford and Son, All in the Family, The Love Boat, Desperate Characters, Laverne & Shirley, The Frisco Kid, Eight Is Enough, The Pursuit of Happiness, Starsky & Hutch, Hero at Large, Kojak, The Main Event, The Jimmy Stewart Show, The Blue Knight and Family Ties.[4][10] He also starred in the short-lived television series Ball Four[11] and The Stockard Channing Show.[12]

Death

Somack died August 24, 1983, of a heart attack at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles,[5] at the age of 64.[1][13] He had been rehearsing for a role in the television series Benson.[4][5]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1968A Punt, a Pass, and a PrayerTrainerTV movie
1969GenerationAirline Policeman
1970London AffairN.Y. Landlord -Loser!!
1971The Pursuit of HappinessJudge Palumbo
1971Desperate CharactersLeon
1972Heat of AngerMr. StollerTV movie
1972Portnoy's ComplaintJack Portnoy
1975Blood BathRalph Lambert
1979The Main EventMurry
1979The Frisco KidSamuel Bender
1979The Little Rascals' Christmas SpecialSanta (voice)TV movie
1980Hero at LargeWaiter
1980Carlton Your DoormanCharles Shaftman (voice)TV movie
1983The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later AffairThe TailorTV movie

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1967Love Is a Many Splendored ThingAmos Crumpunknown episodes
1969N.Y.P.D.Jerry Jameson1 episode
1971The PartnersMr. Kellner1 episode
1972–1976All in the FamilyTony Vicino/Tiny Stillberforce2 episodes
1972The Jimmy Stewart ShowCoach Wylie1 episode
1975–1980Barney MillerMr. Cotterman6 episodes
1975Sanford and SonGabey1 episode
1975–1978KojakMuttel/Charlie Gerson2 episodes
1976The Rockford FilesOliver Prey1 episode
1976The Blue KnightMort Kalish1 episode
1976PopiMr. Goldman1 episode
1976Ball Four'Cap' Capogrosso5 episodes
1977Man from AtlantisEncyclopedia Salesman1 episode
1977The JeffersonsPapa Panelli1 episode
1978Starsky & HutchDetective Peterson1 episode
1978Eight Is Enough1 episode
1978Laverne & ShirleyOfficer Newman1 episode
1979Salvage 1Burton1 episode
1979Stockard Channing in Just FriendsMarty1 episode
1980The Stockard Channing ShowMr. Kramer7 episodes
1980The Love BoatBuzz Plesser1 episode
1982Family TiesMr. Adler1 episode
1982GloriaMr. Rosenbloom1 episode

References
  1. "Obituaries". United Press International. August 30, 1983. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  2. Timberg, Robert (October 12, 2004). State of Grace: A Memoir of Twilight Time. Simon and Schuster. p. 420. ISBN 978-0-6848-5561-5. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  3. "Jack Somack". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  4. "Jack Somack Is Dead at 64;Television and Movie Actor". The New York Times. September 1, 1983. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  5. "Heart attack claims actor Jack Somack". The Desert Sun. Palm Springs. August 30, 1983. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  6. TV Guide. 1999. p. 32 – via Google Books. {{cite book}}: |magazine= ignored (help)
  7. Starr, Michael (2002). Art Carney: A Biography. Applause Theater & Cinema Books. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-5578-3565-9 – via Google Books.
  8. "Jack Sornack for 'Prisoner'". The New York Times. May 8, 1972. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  9. "Road To Success Paved With Meatballs". Radford News Journal. February 28, 1972. p. 5 – via NewspaperArchive.
  10. "Jack Somack". TV Guide. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  11. "TV Key Previews: Ball Four". The Fresno Bee. September 22, 1976. p. E8 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "TV Guide". TV Guide. Vol. 28. March 1980. pp. 63–69 – via Google Books.
  13. Decker, Cathleen (August 30, 1983). "Jack Somack, Star of Alka-Seltzer Ad, Dies". Los Angeles Times. p. 14. Retrieved July 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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