Seymour Cassel

Seymour Joseph Cassel (January 22, 1935 – April 7, 2019) was an American actor, known for his work in over 200 films and television shows spanning a career of more than 50 years. Cassel first rose to prominence in the 1960s featuring in the revolutionary independent films of writer/director John Cassavetes, such as 'Too Late Blues' (1961), followed by 'Faces' (1968). For his role in 'Faces', Cassel was nominated for an Academy Award and won a National Society of Film Critics Award. Cassel continued to make appearances in Cassavetes' films including 'Minnie and Moskowitz'(1971), 'The Killing of a Chinese Bookie' (1976), 'Opening Night' (1977), and 'Love Streams' (1984).

In addition to Cassavetes' films, Cassel starred in numerous other well-known films. Wes Anderson frequently cast Cassel – his roles in Anderson's films include 'Rushmore' (1998), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), and 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' (2004). Cassel's personal life was equally eventful. He served in the Navy, later joined a theater company, and moved to New York to audition for the Actors Studio. He married Elizabeth Deering in 1964, they had two children before divorcing in 1983. Cassel passed away at the age of 84 in 2019.