How did ‘General Hospital’ star Jack Axelrod die? Veteran actor's representative confirms his death at 93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Renowned veteran actor Jack Axelrod, celebrated for his portrayal of a mob boss on 'General Hospital' and memorable guest appearances on 'My Name Is Earl' and 'Grey’s Anatomy,' passed away at the age of 93 in Los Angeles on November 28.
His representatives confirmed that he died of natural causes.
Born on January 25, 1930, the actor served as a corporal in the US Army stationed in Germany before embarking on studies in architecture at UC Berkeley.
Axelrod, licensed as an architect in Washington, starred as mob boss Victor Jerome on 'General Hospital' from 1987 to 1989.
Throughout his career, he graced various TV shows, leaving a lasting impact on audiences with his versatile talent.
Jack Axelrod's television contribution
Jack Axelrod's television contributions extended across an impressive array of shows, showcasing his versatile talent.
Having appeared in iconic series such as 'Kojak,' 'Hill Street Blues,' 'Dallas,' 'Dynasty,' 'Night Court,' 'Knots Landing,' 'Murphy Brown,' and 'Everybody Loves Raymond,' as well as in modern favorites like 'Star Trek: Voyager,' 'Frasier,' 'Scrubs,' 'It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' and 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' Axelrod left a lasting impact on the television landscape.
His diverse roles in 'Shameless,' 'The Office,' 'Ray Donovan,' 'Baskets,' and 'Modern Family' further solidify his legacy as a respected figure in the television industry.
Jack Axelrod studied acting in New York
Jack Axelrod's journey in acting included extensive study with the renowned Uta Hagen at HB Studios in New York over six years.
His theatrical pursuits manifested in notable performances, such as portraying Banquo in an off-Broadway production of 'Macbeth' in 1969.
A year later, Axelrod graced the off-Broadway stage in 'Gandhi,' later making the transition to Broadway, albeit with an unfortunate closure on opening night.
Beyond his on-stage endeavors, Axelrod generously shared his theatrical insights as a faculty member at esteemed institutions like the University of Wisconsin, the University of Michigan, Boston University, and Penn State.
Additionally, he served as a guest instructor at the Aaron Speiser Acting Studio in Los Angeles, passing on his wealth of knowledge to aspiring actors.
Was Jack Axelrod in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
During Seasons 3 and 4 of 'Grey's Anatomy,' Jack Axelrod made memorable appearances as Charlie Yost, affectionately known as "Really Old Guy."
His character, a coma patient, stirred emotions as he woke up just in time to impart valuable life advice to Seattle Grace intern Izzie, portrayed by Katherine Heigl, before peacefully passing away.
