The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of one of its most seasoned and respected performers. Harris Yulin, the Emmy-nominated actor celebrated for his powerful stage presence and unforgettable screen roles, passed away on June 10, 2025, at the age of 87. With a career that spanned over six decades and included more than 130 film and television credits, Yulin leaves behind a legacy defined by versatility, craftsmanship, and artistic devotion.
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What was the cause of death of Harris Yulin?
According to a statement from his manager, Sue Leibman, Harris Yulin died of cardiac arrest in New York City. His death was confirmed by both his family and management, and a memorial service is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Director Michael Hoffman, who was preparing to work with Yulin on the upcoming television series American Classic, expressed deep admiration for the late actor: “Harris Yulin was very simply one of the greatest artists I have ever encountered,” Hoffman said. “And what he was as an actor, he was as a man, the grace, the humility, the generosity.”
What was Harris Yulin’s net worth when he died?
At the time of his passing, Harris Yulin had an estimated net worth of $4 million. This wealth was amassed over a career that encompassed a wide range of critically acclaimed roles in film, television, and theater. His enduring popularity and consistent work rate underscore his status as a respected figure in the entertainment world.
What are Harris Yulin’s most iconic film and television roles?
Yulin’s career was as rich in quality as it was in quantity. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as the furious courtroom judge in Ghostbusters II (1989), where his rage inadvertently triggers a supernatural outbreak. Other cinematic highlights include:
- Scarface (1983) – as Chief Detective Mel Bernstein
- Clear and Present Danger (1994) – co-starring with Harrison Ford
- Training Day (2001) – reuniting with Denzel Washington
- Multiplicity (1996), Cradle Will Rock (1999), and The Hurricane (1999)
On the small screen, he earned an Emmy nomination for his guest appearance on Frasier in 1996 and appeared in major shows such as:
- 24 (2002–2003) – as Roger Stanton
- Ozark (2017–2018) – as Buddy Dieker
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Billions, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Divorce
In his final months, Yulin had joined the cast of Daredevil: Born Again for Disney+ and was preparing to film American Classic, in which he would star alongside Kevin Kline and Laura Linney.
How did Harris Yulin begin his acting career?
Born Harris B. Goldberg on November 5, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, Yulin was raised in a Jewish family and was the cousin of actress Linda Stirling. He launched his acting career in the New York theater scene, making his stage debut in 1963 in James Saunders’ Next Time I’ll Sing to You. Over the decades, he would perform in more than a dozen Broadway productions, including:
- Watch on the Rhine (1980)
- The Diary of Anne Frank (1997–1998) – nominated for both Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards
- The Price (1999–2000)
- Hedda Gabler (2001–2002)
Yulin also portrayed Hamlet three times in off-Broadway productions and served as a teacher at the Juilliard School for eight years, nurturing the next generation of actors.
Who were Harris Yulin’s collaborators and loved ones?
Yulin maintained close artistic and personal relationships throughout his life. He dated actress Faye Dunaway briefly in the early 1970s and married Gwen Welles in 1975. The couple remained together until Welles’ death in 1993. In 2005, he married Kristen Lowman, who survives him.
He was also a frequent collaborator with actor Stacy Keach and remained creatively active, engaging in projects even during the final weeks of his life. Yulin is survived by his wife, a son-in-law Ted Mineo, nephew Martin Crane, and godchildren Marco and Lara Greenberg. He was preceded in death by his daughter, actress Claire Lucido.
What awards and recognition did Harris Yulin receive?
Although not a household name, Yulin’s contributions were widely respected in acting circles. His accolades include:
- Primetime Emmy Nomination – Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Frasier (1996)
- CableACE Nomination – Guest Actor in a Dramatic Special or Series for La Femme Nikita (1997)
- SAG Nomination – Shared nomination for Ozark ensemble (2019)
- Lucille Lortel Award – for directing The Trip to Bountiful at Signature Theatre
These honors underscore a career built on depth, intensity, and unrelenting commitment to the craft.
What projects was Harris Yulin working on before his death?
Right until his death, Harris Yulin remained immersed in his work. His most recent known involvement was the TV series American Classic, a passion project that promised to reunite him with some of his closest collaborators, including Laura Linney. According to director Michael Hoffman,
“He will always remain the beating heart of our show.”
Yulin also had a role in the upcoming Disney+ Marvel miniseries Daredevil: Born Again and appeared in Omni Loop (2024), his final film performance.
