Jordan Charney

American character actor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jordan Charney (born April 1, 1937) is an American character actor known for Ghostbusters (1984), Network (1976) and Hill Street Blues (1981).

BornApril 1, 1937 (age 88)

Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

EducationAbraham Lincoln High School
Brooklyn College (1960)

OccupationActor

Yearsactive1961–2007

Quick facts Born, Education ...

Jordan Charney

Born	(1937-04-01) April 1, 1937 (age 88) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Education	Abraham Lincoln High School Brooklyn College (1960)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1961–2007
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Spouse	Nancy Cooperstein (m. 1966)
Children	2
Parents	Abraham Charney (father) Rose Resnick (mother)
Relatives	Barbara Schreier (sister)

Early life and career

Charney was born in Brooklyn, New York,^[1] on April 1, 1937,^[2] the son of Rose—née Resnick—and Abraham Charney.^[3]^[4]^[5] He is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School and of Brooklyn College,^[6]^[1] where, in November 1957 and 1958, respectively, he portrayed the title character in productions of Coxe and Chapman's Billy Budd—adapted from Melville's like-named novel—and of Sophocles' tragedy, Oedipus Rex.^[3]^[7] Majoring in speech and theatre, while also reinforcing his studies via summer stock engagements (primarily with the Woodstock Playhouse), Charney earned his BA in 1960 and made his Off-Broadway debut the following April in Edward Albee's Zoo Story, replacing Peter Mark Richman as Jerry.^[1]^[8]^[9]^[10] In 1962, Charney sought to further his education, as part of the Lincoln Center Training Program.^[11]^[12]

Many of Charney's earliest screen roles were on daytime television, with appearances in numerous soaps. Charney created the role of creepy Julian Dark in the early to mid-1960s on the CBS soap, The Secret Storm. He played Sam Lucas, a former convict who became a lawyer, in both Another World and its spin-off Somerset, playing the role from 1967 to 1974. He also appeared as Lt. Vince Wolek on One Life to Live (1975–1977). Other roles were on Love of Life and All My Children.

Charney portrayed newspaper editor Ted Bergman in the 1977 CBS series The Andros Targets.^[13] In 1980, he played Capt. Roger Westerby, an old flame of Corabeth Godsey, in a season eight episode of The Waltons. He had a recurring role as Frank Angelino, Jack Tripper's boss, on Three's Company (1981–1983). He is often cast as a judge, attorney, prison warden, or police officer. He has made appearances on Falcon Crest, Dynasty, Night Court and 100 Centre Street, among many other series. He can also be seen in the recurring role of Judge Donald Karan on Law & Order.

In 1982, Charney portrayed renowned theatre director and drama critic Harold Clurman in Universal's Frances Farmer biopic (alongside Jessica Lange as Farmer and Jeffrey DeMunn as Clifford Odets);^[14] he has also appeared in such films as The Hospital, Network, and Ghostbusters, and acted on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater.^[15]

1982 also marked the beginning of Charney's tenure as artistic director of Actors Alley theater in the San Fernando Valley in California. By November 1986 the group's membership had grown from 22 when he arrived to 70. It offered weekly classes for members and presented both free and paid-admission plays for the public.^[11]

Family and personal life

Charney has been married to television director / theatrical producer Nancy Cooperstein since November 1966.^[16]^[17] They have two children, including opera singer Allison Charney, and five grandchildren.^[18]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...


Year	Title	Role	Notes
1971	Plaza Suite	Jesse's Aide	Uncredited
1971	The Hospital	Hitchcock
1976	Network	Harry Hunter
1980	Those Lips, Those Eyes	Professor
1980	Witches' Brew	Charlie Reynolds
1981	Separate Ways	Harry Bartoff
1982	Frances	Harold Clurman
1984	Ghostbusters	Dean Yeager
1985	Creator	Dr. Whitaker
1986	My Little Girl	Dr. Gruner
2001	Queenie in Love	Father
2007	Mo	Dr. Leahman
2007	Anamorph	Chairman

Television

More information Year, Title ...

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1965	The Magnificent Yankee	Halloran	Television film
1965	Love of Life	Dr. Tony Vento	18 episodes
1966	Hawk	Intern	Episode: "Death Comes Full Circle"
1967–1974	Another World	Sam Lucas	10 episodes
1970	Somerset	Sam Lucas	Episode #1.1
1974	Guiding Light	Dr. Harold Eberhart	3 episodes
1976–1977	One Life to Live	Vince Wolek #2	24 episodes
1977	The Andros Targets	Ted Bergman	Television film
1978	Who'll Save Our Children?	John Drake	Television film
1979	Dallas	Lieutenant Sutton / Detective Rollins	2 episodes
1979–1983	Three's Company	Frank Angelino / Mr. Layton	12 episodes
1980	Marriage Is Alive and Well	Fritz	Television film
	The Waltons	Capt. Roger Westerby	Episode: "The Medal"
	The Ropers	Mr. McLaughlin	Episode: "The Other Woman"
	The Plutonium Incident	Mr. Orr	Television film
1981	Lou Grant	Karl Buckner	Episode: "Catch"
	Benson	Jack Beddoes	Episode: "The Governor's House Call"
	Private Benjamin	Capt. Hookstratten	Episode: "Judy Got Her Gun"
1981–1982	General Hospital	Dr. Seymour Katz	13 episodes
1981–1985	Hill Street Blues	Ed Chapel / Marty Dignan	4 episodes
1982	Hart to Hart	Mr. Flowers	Episode: "Blue and Broken-Harted"
1983	Blood Feud	TV Commentator	Television film
1983	Tucker's Witch	Max Leopold	Episode: "Formula for Revenge"
1984	Amazons	Congressman Harris Stowe	Television film
	Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter	Harry Ascot	Television film
	Falcon Crest	Norton Crane	6 episodes
	E/R	Donald	Episode: "Son of Sheinfeld"
	The Cartier Affair	Ben Foley	Television film
	The Impostor	Barela	Television film
1985	Robert Kennedy and His Times	Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.	3 episodes
	Kids Don't Tell	Tatum	Television film
	T. J. Hooker	Captain Pankowitz	Episode: "The Chicago Connection"
	Do You Remember Love	Marvin Langdon	Television film
	Santa Barbara	Dr. Renfro	23 episodes
	Amos	Commissioner Bert Daniels	Television film
	Hunter	Stu	Episode: "Killer in a Halloween Mask"
	Crime of Innocence	Spencer Mulholland	Television film
	Final Jeopardy	Mr. Clemens	Television film
	Glitter	Vincent	Episode: "Nightfall"
	Misfits of Science	Dr. Moyer	Episode: "Grand Theft Bunny"
1986	Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story	Pete Stark	Television film
1986	Our House	Judge Albert	Episode: "See You in Court"
1987	Shell Game	Bob Kenton	Episode: "Norman's Parking Ticket"
	Rags to Riches	Harvey	Episode: "Born to Ride"
	Home Fires	Hal Robinson	Television film
	Highway to Heaven	Joe Eastwood	Episode: "In with the 'In' Crowd"
1987–1988	Dynasty	Bill Cochran	5 episodes
1987, 1991	L.A. Law	Joseph Gennis / Samuel Adelson	2 episodes
1988	Knots Landing	Abby's Lawyer	Episode: "Lawfully Wedded"
	Baja Oklahoma	Beecher Perry	Television film
	The Bronx Zoo	Mr. Ted Sharf	Episode: "Behind Closed Doors"
	The Town Bully	Harmon Gunderson	Television film
	To Heal a Nation	Spreiregen
	David	Judge
	Night Court	James McCracken	Episode: "The Night Court Before Christmas"
1989	Capone Behind Bars	J. Edgar Hoover	Television film
	When He's Not a Stranger	Chancellor Hammond	Television film
	Matlock	Warden Paul Branden	2 episodes
1990	Mancuso, F.B.I.	Jiri	2 episodes
1990	All My Children	Kurt Bodine	11 episodes
1991	Her Wicked Ways	Bernie Robbins	Television film
1992–2006	Law & Order	Judge Donald Karan / Dr. Mandell	9 episodes
1994	One West Waikiki	Dr. Howard Braniff / Pathologist	2 episodes
1995	The Boys Are Back	Bill	Episode: "The French Class"
1995	Chicago Hope	Mr. Harrod	Episode: "The Ethics of Hope"
1996	Innocent Victims	Judge	Television film
1996	Baywatch	Charlie	Episode: "Baywatch Angels"
1997	Touched by an Angel	Official	Episode: "Charades"
2001	100 Centre Street	Judge Kelleher	5 episodes
2002	Law & Order: Criminal Intent	Melvin Colter	Episode: "Homo Homini Lupus"
2002	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Rory O'Halloran	Episode: "Silence"

References

[1]
"Mail Bag". Waco Tribune-Herald. August 30, 1964. p. 6-D. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "Brooklyn-born Jordan Charney speaks Hebrew, French and Yiddish and is currently studying Russian. He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1960 with a BA degree in speech and theater, and made his Broadway debut in 1961 in 'The Zoo Story.' He is a bachelor."
[2]
Willis, John (January 1, 2004). Theatre World 2000-2001: Special Tony Honor Edition. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 224. ISBN 1557835233 – via Google Books.
[3]
"He Lost Weight, Got the Part". Kings Courier. November 9, 1957. p. 22. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "A temporary job in a New York public relations firm last month accidentally opened the door to the career Jordan Charney, 20, fourth year student at Brooklyn College, has wanted for as long he can remember. Jordan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Charney of 1421 E. 7 St., decided he would like to be an actor on the day he appeared in his first kindergarten playlet. [...] Jordan was told that without "going on any diet at all, and without ever feeling hungry, he could accomplish his desired loss of weight. [...] Three weeks later, Jordan's weight was down from 200 pounds to 180 pounds, a good weight for a six footer. The drama coach at Brooklyn College was delighted, and so was Jordan; he got the title role in Billy Budd."
[4]
"Paid Notice: Deaths". The New York Times. June 15, 2001. p. 37. ProQuest 1326074401. CHARNEY-Rose. Died June 13, 2001. Beloved mother of Barbara Schreier and Jordan Charney. Adored grandmother of Randy, Larry, Gayle, Allison and Daniel. Cherished great-grandmother of Jason, Adam and Jake. A long time performing member of the Kadimah group of Haddassah. Graveside services will be held at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Queens Sunday, June 17 at 10:30AM.
[5]
"Engagement Announcements—Weddings and Shower Crowd Calendar: Resnick—Charney". Brooklyn Eagle. June 29, 1930. p. 17. Miss Rose Resnick, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Solomon H. Resnick of 250 Penn St., will be married to Abraham Charney, son of Isaac Charney, today at 1 o'clock at Rabbi Riskioff's Congregation on Lafayette Avenue.
[6]
"School and College News: Flood of Vets; Borough Students Abroad; G. O. Chiefs; Students Score". The Brooklyn Eagle. July 4, 1954. p. 10. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "N. Y. U. has presented a $1,280 scholarship and gold medal to Katharine Critchley of Abraham Lincoln High School for her prize-winning short story in the university's Prose Writers' Contest. Jordan Charney, of the same school, won the Brooklyn District prize."
[7]
"Grecian Drama Presented by College Group". Brooklyn Record.
[8]
Walls, Bette (January 28, 1967). "Lets Talk TV: Kraft Foods Contest Opens; Today's Profile—Jordan Charney". The Reporter-Times. p. 6. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "While still in college, Charney prepped for his acting career by appearing in summer stock productions, principally at Woodstock (N,Y.) Playhouse under the direction of Cyril Simon. He also was identified with the Habimah Haktanah theater group of New York City, which led to a contract offer from the Israeli Theater in Tel Aviv, which he turned down,"
[9]
Morgenstern, Joseph (August 29, 1973). "Theater Notes: Westbury Planning Eleven Musicals; 'Carnival' Recording; Other News Notes". New York Herald Tribune. p. 6. ProQuest 1326074401. Jordan Charney has replaced Mark Richman in 'The Zoo Story,' Edward Albee's one-act play on the same bill with Beckett's 'Krapp's Last Tape' at the Cricket Theater.
[10]
Adler, Stella; Paris, Barry, ed. (2012). Stella Adler on America's Master Playwrights: Eugene O'Neill, Thornton Wilder, Clifford Odets, William Saroyan, Tennessee Williams, William Inge, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee. New York: Vintage Books. p. 363. ISBN 978-0-679-74699-7. "William Daniels as Peter and Mark Richman as Jerry in an early 1960s production of Edward Albee's The Zoo Story. 'Fight for your bench, for your parakeet—fight, you son-of-a-bitch! If you want it, fight for it.'"
[11]
Arkatov, Janice (November 25, 1986). "Challenge is up Charney's alley". Los Angeles Times. p. 2 - Part VI. Retrieved July 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
[12]
"Rabbit Run Team Plans 1963 Season". The Cleveland Plain Dealer. August 26, 1962. p. 2-H. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "Rabbit Run Theater winds up its season with 'Glass Menagerie' this week after which the company’s players will return to New York. [...] For Charney, leading man in the company, the end of the season means the beginning of his residency at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. MISS MILES also will become part of the Lincoln Center training program."
[13]
Hyatt, Wesley (October 6, 2015). Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops. McFarland. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-4766-0515-9. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
[14]
Connelly, Mark (2024). The Group Theatre: An Enduring Legacy. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 293. ISBN 978-1-4766-7711-8. "Frances Farmer (1913–1970) played Lorna Moon in Golden Boy and appeared in Thunder Rock. Jessica Lange was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Frances Farmer in the 1982 film Frances with Jordan Charney portraying Harold Clurman and Jeffrey DeMunn playing Clifford Odets."
[15]
Payton, Gordon; Jr, Martin Grams (September 17, 2015). The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide and Handbook to Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974-1982. McFarland. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7864-9228-2. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
[16]
"Charney, Jordan 1937– | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
[17]
Wallace, Kenneth G. (October 31, 1966). "One On the Aisle: Dancer Gets Timely Job". The Record. p. 54. Retrieved April 6, 2025. "And now, romance. Jordan Charney of Brooklyn and Nancy Cooperstein of Fall River, Mass., who knew each other before, have become romantically serious since playing together in 'Viet Rock' and they're going to be married right after the November 10 opening at the Martinique."
[18]
Yoken, Mel (2021-04-09). "Early Fall River upbringing influenced director's latest movie". Jewish Rhode Island. Retrieved 2025-11-20.