Prolific Character Actor Kenneth Mars Dead at 74

[Dennis Donovan]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/young-frankenstein-actor-kenneth-mars-99482



Kenneth Mars, a farcical character actor best known for playing the police inspector with a creaky prosthetic arm in Mel Brooks’ 1974 classic Young Frankenstein, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Granada Hills, Calif. He was 75(sic)*.

With a flair for German-type accents, Mars also appeared as the insane Nazi playwright who creates Springtime for Hitler in Brooks’ The Producers (1968) and as a Yugoslavian shyster in Peter Bogdanovich’s What’s Up, Doc? (1972).

Mars has regular roles on TV as ranch owner Otto Mannkusser on the Fox series Malcolm in the Middle, as W.D. “Bud” Prize on Norman Lear’s Fernwood Tonight and its offshoot, America Tonight, in the late 1970s and as Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin’s fireman neighbor in He & She, a 1967-68 CBS series.

The Chicago native cultivated a robust career as a voice actor during his 40-plus years in show business, working on such projects as The Jetsons, The FIintstones Kids, The Little Mermaid, Duckman and Life With Louie. He was Grandpa Longneck in many installments of The Land Before Time series that ran on film, video and TV
</snip>

*Wikipedia has him @ 74 years old

One of the funniest comedic character actors EVER! Here's a guy I'll miss - Cross gently, Mr Mars, and thank you for the laughs!

[ixion]

1. One of the great character actors, and a very funny guy...

I'm happy that he leaves behind such a great body of work. Good voyage to you, Mr. Mars.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0550318/

[blogslut]

2. Farewell, sir

You did good.

[Ignis]

3. May his papers be in order, so he can continue puttin' on the ritz.

RIP to one of the greats.

:(

[Kurovski]

4. Very funny man.

And he always will be on film.

Just the other day I sat down to watch "For Pete's Sake", thinking it was "What's Up Doc?" He was one of the excellent comedic actors in it (including the the under-appreciated Madeline Kahn) that I was expecting to see.

I'm rambling like a bollix-brain, but the fact is, he was a great in my book.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. In the 70's & 80's, he seemed to be on EVERY TV show!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0550318/

[Kurovski]

15. I never realised he was in Rugrats.

:D I used to watch some of that in my nanny days.

[wtmusic]

5. Kemp: "...unt ve had better confirm de fact dat young Frankenschtein

is indeed following in his grandfadder's footschtaps!
Townspeople: What?
Kemp: Following in his grandfadder's footschtaps. Footschtaps, footschtaps!

A classic.



http://www.sedhe.net/amusements/kemp.html

[blondeatlast]

8. One of the absolute best examples of physical comedy ever.

He could have overplayed it and ruined it, but he did it just dead-on perfect. Amazing.

[blondeatlast]

7. Heaven is enjoying a hearty laugh at this mortal plane's expense this evening.

He was simply amazing in the ONLY "The Producers" (Mostel/Wilder).

Really sad. God bless you, sir, you brightened my life just a little more.

[Barack_America]

9. Oh damn, he was great.

And I hate to hear of anyone with pancreatic cancer. Horrible, horrible disease.

[MilesColtrane]

10. Aaaw Hell!

A world in need of laughter and joy just got a little less funny.

Thank you, Mr. Mars.

:patriot:

[edbermac]

11. Had a great bit in Woody Allen's Radio Days playing a rabbi.

The young Woody character steals money intended for funding Israel and his parents and the rabbi
find out about it and start whacking him around. Very funny scene.

RIP

[Rhiannon12866]

13. I remember that!

Great movie! Funny, since I was just thinking about that movie the other day, saw it years ago and was thinking I'd like to see it again. This talented actor made a serous contribution, checked out the link and he was in more things than we remember, but remained pretty much under the radar. His unique talents will be missed. :(

[edbermac]

12. Here's the scene from Radio Days

Shot in a low lit room at the Hebrew school so you don't see his face that good, but a funny scene; the earlier show and tell scene is great too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFRDvpj2mg0

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Thanks!

Very funny scene. I just replied to your other post... :D :hi:

On edit: Why should we leave any for Palestine? It's all the way over in Egypt! :crazy: :rofl: