Dec. 29, 2023

Veteran Actor Mike Nussbaum Passes Away at 99

Mike Nussbaum, one of the oldest working actors in the film industry that has featured in mainstream films like Men in Black and Field of Dreams, has died at 99. By: Dylan Low

Nussbaum had died due to natural causes last weekend, which was six days short of his 100th birthday, at his home located in Chicago as declared by his daughter Karen.

Nussbaum featured in many notable films, in his portrayal of book publisher Bob Drimmer in Fatal Attraction in 1987, a school principal in Field of Dreams in 1989 and alien jeweler Gentle Rosenburg in 1997’s edition of Men in Black. He also participated in films such as House of Games in 1987, Things Change back in 1988, Harry and Tonto of 1974, 1995’s Losing Josiah and Steal Big Steal Little.

For television shows, Nussbaum had roles in The Equalizer, The X-Files, Brooklyn Bridge, Separate but Equal, Frasier, L.A. Law, 227, The Commish and Early Edition.

Nussbaum was born on Dec. 29, 1923, and grew up in the Albany Park neighbourhood of Chicago. He had a long-running career in theatre, as seen in David Mamet plays both on and off Broadway, and in Chicago. He was the first actor to play Teach in Mamet’s American Buffalo, and first played the role of George Aaronow in the 1984 Broadway production of Glengarry Glen Ross. He also portrayed the iconic Albert Einstein in Mamet’s Relativity.

Nussbaum leaves behind his second wife Julie, children Jack and Karen, along with seven grandchildren.

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