(CNN) — Michael Lerner, a veteran character actor who received an Oscar nomination for his performance as an overbearing studio head in the 1991 film "Barton Fink," has died, his nephew, actor Sam Lerner, announced in a post on social media. He was 81.
"We lost a legend last night," Sam Lerner wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday. "It's hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me. His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special. Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was— in the best way. I'm so lucky I got to spend so much time with him, and we're all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time. RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon."
No further details on Lerner's death were given. CNN has reached out to representatives for Michael and Sam Lerner for further comment.
With film and television credits dating back to the 1960's, Lerner's career in Hollywood spanned decades. His earliest work throughout the '60's and '70's included appearances on television shows like "The Doris Day Show," "The Bob Newhart Show" and "M*A*S*H."
His first film came in 1970 as the character Leo in "Alex in Wonderland" alongside Donald Sutherland and Ellen Burstyn. Lerner went on to appear in films such as "The Ski Bum," "The Candidate," and "Outlaw Blues."
The actor appeared in multiple episodes of "Hill Street Blues" and "Melba" in the mid '80s before he starred in "Barton Fink" in 1991. His performance as studio executive Jack Lipnick, for which he starred alongside John Turturro, John Goodman and Judy Davis, earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.
-
50 residents displaced after fire at Danville apartment complex
A fire displaced 50 residents at a senior apartment complex in Danville Friday morning, according to the Danville Fire Department.
Driver dead, Frankfort PD chief deputy among two injured in Clinton County crash
One person is dead and two others were injured, including a Frankfort Police Department chief deputy, following a crash on State Road 39 early Friday morning.
Black Church Coalition hosts "We Keep Us Safe" in Martindale Brightwood
Building a better tomorrow was the mission behind the Black Church Coalition's "We Keep Us Safe" event, as residents of Martindale Brightwood seek change in their community.
Docs: Lawyer charged with stealing items from car that killed Mason Alexander
The attorney for the family of Mason Alexander, who was killed in a March 2025 crash, is facing criminal charges after investigators say he removed items from the crash vehicle.
