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Al Molinaro, drive-in owner in "Happy Days," dies at 96
Associated Press
By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
GLENDALE, Calif. — Al Molinaro, the loveable character actor with the hangdog face who was known to millions of TV viewers for playing Murray the cop on "The Odd Couple" and malt shop owner Al Delvecchio on "Happy Days," died Friday at Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, his son Michael Molinaro said.
Molinaro, retired from acting since the 1990s, died of complications of gallstone problems, his son said. He was 96.
The Kenosha, Wisconsin, native was a journeyman performer well into middle age when a comedy improv class led to his breakthrough. Producer Garry Marshall heard about Molinaro and hired him for the part of police Officer Murray Greshler on "The Odd Couple," the TV version of Neil Simon's play about feuding roommates. It starred Tony Randall as photographer Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as sports writer Oscar Madison and featured Molinaro as one of their buddies, a simpleminded policeman who at times seemed as much a threat to his friends as he did to any crooks.
"The Odd Couple" ran from 1970-75 and not only demonstrated Molinaro's knack for goofiness, but exploited his most distinctive feature — his plus-sized nose. In one defining scene, Murray attempts to enter his friends' apartment, but the door is locked. Murray instead sticks his nose through a peephole.
"Oh, hi Murray," Oscar calls out.
His son Michael said that Molinaro "was good friends till the end with all of the group of people involved in 'The Odd Couple.' "
His next long-running role was that of Al Delvecchio in "Happy Days," the 1974-1984 nostalgic sitcom about 1950s life that starred Ron Howard and Henry Winkler. Molinaro joined the cast in 1976, replacing Pat Morita as the owner of Arnold's Drive-In, and remained until 1982.
Read more: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other...y-days-dies-at-96/ar-BBmEeda?ocid=ansmsnent11
Associated Press
By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
GLENDALE, Calif. — Al Molinaro, the loveable character actor with the hangdog face who was known to millions of TV viewers for playing Murray the cop on "The Odd Couple" and malt shop owner Al Delvecchio on "Happy Days," died Friday at Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, his son Michael Molinaro said.
Molinaro, retired from acting since the 1990s, died of complications of gallstone problems, his son said. He was 96.
The Kenosha, Wisconsin, native was a journeyman performer well into middle age when a comedy improv class led to his breakthrough. Producer Garry Marshall heard about Molinaro and hired him for the part of police Officer Murray Greshler on "The Odd Couple," the TV version of Neil Simon's play about feuding roommates. It starred Tony Randall as photographer Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as sports writer Oscar Madison and featured Molinaro as one of their buddies, a simpleminded policeman who at times seemed as much a threat to his friends as he did to any crooks.
"The Odd Couple" ran from 1970-75 and not only demonstrated Molinaro's knack for goofiness, but exploited his most distinctive feature — his plus-sized nose. In one defining scene, Murray attempts to enter his friends' apartment, but the door is locked. Murray instead sticks his nose through a peephole.
"Oh, hi Murray," Oscar calls out.
His son Michael said that Molinaro "was good friends till the end with all of the group of people involved in 'The Odd Couple.' "
His next long-running role was that of Al Delvecchio in "Happy Days," the 1974-1984 nostalgic sitcom about 1950s life that starred Ron Howard and Henry Winkler. Molinaro joined the cast in 1976, replacing Pat Morita as the owner of Arnold's Drive-In, and remained until 1982.
Read more: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other...y-days-dies-at-96/ar-BBmEeda?ocid=ansmsnent11
