John Karlen of Dark Shadows and Cagney & Lacey fame dies at 86 of congestive heart failure
- The actor passed away aged 86 on Wednesday of congestive heart failure at a hospice in Burbank according to a friend and family spokesman
- In 1986 he won an Emmy as best supporting actor in a drama for his role as Harvey Lacey, husband to Tyne Daly's Mary Beth Lacey, on Cagney & Lacey
- He also played multiple roles including that of a conman on the cult classic sci-fi series Dark Shadows which ran from 1966 to 1971
- Karlen worked almost constantly in television from the 1950s-1980s and amassed more than 100 acting credits
- He got start in theater and was part of the 1959 original Broadway of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird Of Youth led by Paul Newman
Emmy-winning character actor John Karlen, known for his roles on the television series Dark Shadows and Cagney & Lacey, has died.
The actor passed away aged 86 on Wednesday of congestive heart failure at a hospice in Burbank, friend and family spokesman Jim Pierson said.
In 1986 he won an Emmy as best supporting actor in a drama for his role as Harvey Lacey, husband to Tyne Daly's Mary Beth Lacey, on Cagney & Lacey.
Emmy-winning character actor John Karlen, known for his roles on the television series Dark Shadows and Cagney & Lacey (pictured), has died; pictured in 2007
The acclaimed CBS police drama ran from 1982 to 1988 and starred Daly and Sharon Gless in the title roles.
'I need this more than a working man needs a loaf of bread,' Karlen joked onstage as he collected his Emmy, years away from his early days as a Brooklyn bar bookie.
That year he told People of his trophy: 'It’s really nice to get up in the middle of the night and on the way to the bathroom say hello to it.'
He added: 'It’s the best. It’s the killer. It’s juicy. Getting it was the most power-packed minute and 15 seconds of my life.'
Throwback: In 1986 he won an Emmy as best supporting actor in a drama for his role as Harvey Lacey (right), husband to Tyne Daly's Mary Beth Lacey (left), on Cagney & Lacey
Karlen played conman and scoundrel Willie Loomis, and later several other roles, on Dark Shadows, the cult favorite horror soap that aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971.
His Dark Shadows co-star Kathryn Leigh Scott wrote on her blog Thursday: 'Memories, memories... this morning I'm awash in memories of darling John Karlen, who left us yesterday.'
The 76-year-old actress added: 'I'm told he passed peacefully, for which I'm grateful, but hardly seems in character for our Johnny. He was such a life force, God bless him! Farewell, my friend. Loved you.'
On Wednesday, the day of Karlen's death, Daly tweeted cryptically: I’m feeling the need to unplug. Thank you for your attention and your time. Please keep reading poetry and if you get a great one, let me know.'
Versatile: Karlen played conman and scoundrel Willie Loomis, and later several other roles, on Dark Shadows, the cult favorite horror soap that aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971
Born John Adam Karlewicz in Brooklyn, New York, Karlen grew up, he said, among 'the real tough guys of south Brooklyn. When you grow up low-down and crazy, you gotta give yourself a sense of freedom.'
He recalled: 'We were poor but we didn’t know it. My father would go down to the Navy yards, then come home and spit rust all night from working in the hold of a ship.'
Karlen studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began his career on stage, appearing in the 1959 original Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth.
The show was directed by Hollywood legend Elia Kazan and saw Karlen in a cast that included Paul Newman and Geraldine Page, with Bruce Dern in a bit part.
Working actor: In addition to his two long-running parts, he had guest stints or recurring roles on shows including Murder, She Wrote (pictured)
From the late 1950s until the mid-1990s, Karlen would work almost constantly in television, amassing well over 100 acting credits.
In addition to his two long-running parts, he had guest stints or recurring roles on shows including The Streets of San Francisco, Charlie's Angels, Quincy, M.E., Hill Street Blues and Murder, She Wrote.
He also had a handful of appearances in film, including 1970's House of Dark Shadows, a cinematic spin-off of the TV series.
His final major role was a reprise of his Harvey Lacey character for the 1996 television movie, Cagney & Lacey: True Convictions.
Karlen's survivors include his son, Adam.
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John Karlen of Dark Shadows and Cagney & Lacey fame dies at 86 of congestive heart failure - Daily Mail
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