Charles Lewis Low (July 21, 1928 – September 18, 2017)[1] was an American businessman and actor, known for his appearances in films starring his longtime friend and associate Robert De Niro.
Chuck Low | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Lewis Low July 21, 1928 |
| Died | September 18, 2017 (aged 89) Allendale, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Resting place | Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, New York |
| Other names | Charles Low Chuck L. Low Chuck Lewis Low |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960–2017 |
Biography
editLow was born in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents. His mother was Russian, and his father was Austrian-Polish. He served in the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Major.[2][3]
Low worked as a real estate developer in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. He first met Robert De Niro in 1980, when the actor was a tenant in a building he owned. At the age of 44, he made his film debut opposite De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy, playing a bit part as a Chinese restaurant customer.
He went on to play other small and supporting roles in films starring De Niro. He played young Deborah Gelly's (Jennifer Connelly) father in Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Don Cabeza in The Mission (1986), Morris "Morrie" Kessler in Goodfellas (1990), Freddy DiMario in Night and the City (1992), Benrie in Mistress (1992), and the dance judge in Sleepers (1996).
His portrayal of Morrie Kessler, a fictionalized version of Lufthansa heist participant Martin Krugman, gained him the most acclaim. The character of Morrie was famous for his "Morrie's Wig Shop" commercial which is seen as comical, and that coupled with his penchant for pestering Jimmy Conway about money leads most of the characters to see him as a nuisance, setting up his eventual murder by Tommy DeVito.
Low also guest starred in a first-season episode of The Sopranos, as Shlomo Teittleman. He can also be seen in Alan Taylor's 2003 film, Kill the Poor.
Aside from his acting work, Lowe continued to work mainly in real estate. For many years, he was De Niro's real estate broker.
Death
editLow died at a nursing home in Allendale, New Jersey on September 18, 2017.[3] His remains are interred at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The King of Comedy | Man in Chinese Restaurant | |
| 1984 | Once Upon a Time in America | Deborah Gelly's Father | Uncredited |
| 1986 | The Mission | Cabeza | |
| 1990 | Goodfellas | Morris Kessler | |
| 1992 | Mistress | Bernie | |
| 1992 | Night and the City | Freddy DiMario | |
| 1996 | Sleepers | Dance Judge | |
| 2003 | Kill the Poor | Bruno |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Law & Order | Hyram Jenkins | Episode: "Disappeared" |
| 1999 | The Sopranos | Shlomo Teittleman | Episode: "Denial, Anger, Acceptance" |
| 2001 | 100 Centre Street | Episode: "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" |
References
edit- ^ "CHARLES LOW Obituary (2017) New York Times".
- ^ Petski, Denise (2017-10-03). "Chuck Low Dies: 'Goodfellas' Actor Was 89". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ a b "Chuck Low, Robert De Niro's landlord who landed gruesome role in 'Goodfellas,' dies at 89". Los Angeles Times. 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2024-09-07.