Harris Yulin, the acclaimed American actor whose commanding presence and layered performances left a lasting imprint on Hollywood, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the age of 87. His death from cardiac arrest was confirmed Thursday by his longtime manager Sue Leibman in a statement to The New York Post.
With a career spanning six decades, Yulin was a master of both stage and screen, best remembered for his unforgettable roles in iconic films such as ‘Scarface’ (1983), where he played corrupt police officer Mel Bernstein, and ‘Ghostbusters II’ (1989), alongside a long list of supporting roles that carried emotional gravitas and intellectual depth.
Leibman praised Yulin as a generational talent and a tireless student of the craft. “Harris was part of the vanguard of actors who made their work a lifelong devotion,” her statement read. “His performances were rich with empathy, detail, and authenticity—a true gift to fellow actors, directors, and audiences alike.”
Born November 5, 1937, in Los Angeles, Yulin’s career took off on Broadway before he broke into film and television. His credits include major roles in Clear and Present Danger, Training Day, The Hurricane, Frasier, 24, Veep, Ozark, and Law & Order, earning him critical acclaim for his range and consistency.
Yulin was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1996 for his role as a tough, principled judge in Frasier. Beyond his roles, he was deeply respected by peers for mentoring younger actors and bringing thoughtful complexity to every script he touched.
Memorial arrangements will be announced in the coming weeks, according to his management. Tributes have already begun pouring in from across the entertainment world, with fans and colleagues recalling his calm intensity, intellectual sharpness, and ability to elevate even the smallest scenes into unforgettable moments.
Though gone, Yulin’s voice, posture, and penetrating performances live on. His legacy now belongs to the enduring films and stories that bear his mark—reminders of a time when acting was an art form, and Harris Yulin was one of its purest expressions.
