In a Hollywood era increasingly dominated by political messaging and leftist activism, the late Harris Yulin stood out as a steady, principled craftsman who dedicated his life to the true art of acting. Yulin, best known for his memorable roles in films like *Scarface* and *Ghostbusters II*, passed away Tuesday in New York City at the age of 87 from cardiac arrest, his family confirmed.
Unlike many in the modern entertainment industry who seek headlines for political grandstanding rather than talent, Yulin was part of a generation that valued the craft itself. His family and manager, Sue Leibman, offered a fitting tribute: “Yulin was part of the vanguard of a generation who cared passionately about the craft of acting. This deep, lifelong dedication led to extraordinary, resonant performances that were a gift to audiences, the actors he worked with, and the art of acting itself.”
Born November 5, 1937, in Los Angeles, Yulin entered the world of acting long before Hollywood became a megaphone for the woke agenda. He launched his New York stage career in 1963 and made his Broadway debut in 1980 with a revival of *Watch on the Rhine*. Throughout his career, Yulin showed versatility and depth, appearing in a variety of classic Broadway productions including *The Price*, *The Visit*, *The Diary of Anne Frank*, and *Hedda Gabler*—works that emphasized storytelling and talent over shallow virtue signaling.
In an era when Hollywood often sacrifices storytelling to push progressive narratives, Yulin’s film career was refreshingly apolitical and wide-ranging. His first movie role came in 1970 with the dark comedy *End of the Road*. From there, he went on to deliver powerful performances in iconic films such as *Scarface* (1983), *Ghostbusters II* (1989), *Clear and Present Danger* (1994), *Training Day* (2001), *Rush Hour 2* (2001), and *The Place Beyond the Pines* (2012). His work added substance to films that entertained without lecturing their audiences.
On television, Yulin was equally accomplished. He earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his guest role on *Frasier* in 1996 and played memorable parts in hit series such as *Ozark*, *24*, *Veep*, *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*, *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt*, and *Billions*. Despite an impressive résumé, Yulin remained humble, once telling *The Irish Times*, “I just do the next thing that comes along… Whatever comes along that I want to do or that I feel I need to do.”
At the time of his passing, Yulin was working on the upcoming MGM+ series *American Classic*, directed by Michael Hoffman. Hoffman, who had previously collaborated with Yulin on the 2005 film *Game 6*, praised him as “one of the greatest artists I have ever encountered,” highlighting Yulin’s immense talent combined with humility and grace—qualities increasingly rare in today’s celebrity culture.
Off-screen, Yulin lived a relatively private life, far removed from the chaotic personal dramas that often plague Hollywood elites. He was married to actress Gwen Welles until her passing in 1993, and later to actress Kristen Lowman. Yulin is survived by Lowman, son-in-law Ted Mineo, nephew Martin Crane, and godchildren Marco and Lara Greenberg. He was predeceased by his daughter, actress Claire Lucido.
Harris Yulin’s passing marks the loss of an actor who remained dedicated to his craft and true to his values, even as Hollywood veered into political spectacle. In an industry increasingly disconnected from everyday Americans, Yulin’s career reminds us of a time when talent, not ideology, took center stage.
