Jack Somack

Jack Somack (September 14, 1918 – August 24, 1983) was an American actor and chemical engineer. He is best remembered for his appearance in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" television commercial.

Life and career Somack was born in Chicago, Illinois. He began his acting career in 1966, playing the lead role of Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge.

In 1969 Somack appeared in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" commercial.

In the 1970s and 1980s Somack appeared and guest-starred in film and television programs including Barney Miller, 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. He also starred in the short-lived television series Ball Four and The Stockard Channing Show.

Death Somack died August 24, 1983, of a heart attack at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, He had been rehearsing for a role in the television series Benson.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1968 A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer Trainer TV movie 1969 Generation Airline Policeman 1970 London Affair N.Y. Landlord -Loser!! 1971 The Pursuit of Happiness Judge Palumbo 1971 Desperate Characters Leon 1972 Heat of Anger Mr. Stoller TV movie 1972 Portnoy's Complaint Jack Portnoy 1975 Blood Bath Ralph Lambert 1979 The Main Event Murry 1979 The Frisco Kid Samuel Bender 1979 The Little Rascals' Christmas Special Santa (voice) TV movie 1980 Hero at Large Waiter 1980 Carlton Your Doorman Charles Shaftman (voice) TV movie 1983 The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair The Tailor TV movie

Television Year Title Role Notes 1967 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing Amos Crump unknown episodes 1969 N.Y.P.D. Jerry Jameson 1 episode 1971 The Partners Mr. Kellner 1 episode 1972–1976 All in the Family Tony Vicino/Tiny Stillberforce 2 episodes 1972 The Jimmy Stewart Show Coach Wylie 1 episode 1975–1980 Barney Miller Mr. Cotterman 6 episodes 1975 Sanford and Son Gabey 1 episode 1975–1978 Kojak Muttel/Charlie Gerson 2 episodes 1976 The Rockford Files Oliver Prey 1 episode 1976 The Blue Knight Mort Kalish 1 episode 1976 Popi Mr. Goldman 1 episode 1976 Ball Four 'Cap' Capogrosso 5 episodes 1977 Man from Atlantis Encyclopedia Salesman 1 episode 1977 The Jeffersons Papa Panelli 1 episode 1978 Starsky & Hutch Detective Peterson 1 episode 1978 Eight Is Enough 1 episode 1978 Laverne & Shirley Officer Newman 1 episode 1979 Salvage 1 Burton 1 episode 1979 Stockard Channing in Just Friends Marty 1 episode 1980 The Stockard Channing Show Mr. Kramer 7 episodes 1980 The Love Boat Buzz Plesser 1 episode 1982 Family Ties Mr. Adler 1 episode 1982 Gloria Mr. Rosenbloom 1 episode