Barney Martin, a fine character comic actor, who came to critical notice as Liza Minnelli's father in Arthur, and became a fixture on American television as Jerry Seinfeld's father on the popular '90s sitcom Seinfeld, died on March 21 of cancer at his Studio City home. He was 82.

He was born on March 3, 1923 in the Queens borough of New York City. Interestingly, there was never an inclination in his childhood that would have led a career in show business, and after serving in the Army Air Force during World War II, he joined the NYPD and rose to the rank of detective. He discovered his gift for comedy when he would use humor to enliven his speeches for deputy commissioners. He fell into show business on the side when he started to write for such popular television programs in the 50s such as Name That Tune and The Steve Allen Show. He began acting in the 60s, finding work on off-Broadway in productions such as The Fantasticks. he found some film work as well in that decade, in such films as the Natalie Wood vehicle Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) and the Cliff Robertson drama CharleyThe Producers (1968).

Martin's wonderfully craggy features and wry delivery would make him a natural as guest star for almost every "New York" based television comedy that had ever been a hit: Car 54, Where Are You?, The Odd Couple, Barney Miller, and Archie Bunker's Place. He had his finest film role as the lovable, lay about father to Liza Minnelli in Arthur (1981) and its less successful sequel Arthur 2 (1988); but to many fans of that classic sitcom Seinfeld, he was unforgettable as Morty Seinfeld, Jerry's ever put-upon dad. Martin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Catherine; a son, Donald; two grandsons and two great-grandsons.

by Michael T. Toole