The following is from Wikipedia:
Victor "Vic" Tayback (January 6, 1930 – May 25, 1990) was a New York City-born American actor of Syrian descent.
Tayback moved with his family to Burbank, California, during his teenage years and attended Burbank High School. He ended up living in the city for the rest of his life.
His most famous role was diner owner Mel Sharples in the 1974 movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, followed up by his reprisal of the role on the related television series, called Alice, which ran from 1976 to 1985. For nine seasons, Tayback was always a central character and favorite on Alice.
Tayback also guest starred in an episode of the fourth season of All in the Family which was called "Et tu, Archie?" In this particular episode, Tayback portrayed Archie's old friend, Joe Tucker.
Tayback's performance as the alien gangster boss Jojo Krako in the Star Trek episode "A Piece of the Action" was also memorable.
Kirk: ...I don't think you're stupid, Mr. Krako; I just think your behavior is arrested.
Krako: I AIN'T NEVER BEEN ARRESTED IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!!
He also appeared in TV commercials including one for Aqua Velva after shave lotion as a spectator in the stands who shouts at then-Cincinnati Reds third baseman Pete Rose "Hey, Pete Rose! What does a man really want in an after-shave lotion?"
One of Tayback's last roles was in the 1989 video remake of the Buck Owens (and later The Beatles) hit "Act Naturally" which featured Owens and former Beatle Ringo Starr.
Tayback died of a sudden heart attack in 1990 and was interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park at Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, California. Tayback was 60 years of age. He was survived by his wife Sheila (married in 1962). They had one son, Christopher, who briefly acted before attending Law School and is now a partner at Quinn Emanuel in Los Angeles.
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On a personal note, I worked for a company, Peterson Mechanical, who sells Carrier HVAC equipment and was surprised to see Vic doing this ad for Carrier!
6/21/08 UPDATE
Got this interesting email from Alan Landros today:
Another "small world" story, this one about Vic Tayback. Sometime after Sherri Giessinger's dad passed away in 1965, her mother sold their home on Birmingham above Kenneth Rd. in Burbank and bought a home on Hamline at the top of Groton in Burbank. It was around 1966 or 1967. The home on Birmingham was the home Sherri grew up in and where she lived while at BHS. When they sold the home on Birmingham they sold it to Vic Tayback! He and his family lived there for quite a few years before they eventually moved to Glendale, which is where he passed away in 1990.
JANUARY 8, 2023 UPDATE
1978 Valley News Article submitted by Linda Durkee Johnson
"Getting Ready for the 70th anniversary celebration of Burbank High on Saturday are actors Vic Tayback left and Anson Willimas. They are shown with student Linda Johnson and Principal Robert Leland. More than 1,200 have inquired about the reunion."
I loved his character portrayal. Wish I knew he lived there! I would have gone to trick or treat!
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