Actor Charles Grodin, known for many roles in films like The Heartbreak Kid and Beethoven, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. He was 86 years old.

A scene-stealing actor, Grodin developed a reputation for character acting as the grumpy, serious guy in comedies. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on April 21, 1935, he studied at the University of Miami then went on to pursue acting at HB Studio in New York City. His career on stage included Broadway productions of Tchin-Tchin, Absence of a Cello, and Same Time, Next Year. He also directed shows like Lovers and Other Strangers and Unexpected Guests.

His onscreen debut came through an uncredited role in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He starred in The Young Marrieds show in 1965, then followed it with guest roles on Shane and The Virginian, before playing the obstetrician in Rosemary’s Baby.

His next big role was in 1970’s Catch-22 and two years later he displayed the dry wit that would become his well known style in The Heartbreak Kid. Grodin was in the 1976 version of King Kong, then Heaven Can Wait and Real Life in the late ‘70s.

Grodin’s work in the ‘80s included The Incredible Shrinking Woman, The Great Muppet Caper, the Fresno miniseries, and he turned in a great buddy comedy performance in Midnight Run with Robert De Niro. He became a favorite for a new generation by starring in Beethoven as the comically irritated father and followed it with Dave, So I Married an Axe Murderer, and Clifford.

He took a break from acting for a little over a decade to host his own CNBC talk show in the late ‘90s and was a political commentator for 60 Minutes II in 2000. Grodin returned to acting in 2006 for The Ex, and his later roles included While We’re Young, a recurring appearance on Louie, the Madoff miniseries, and 2017’s An Imperfect Murder.