Prolific Character Actor. Fondly remembered for his role of 'Morty Seinfeld,' Jerry's father, in more than 20 episodes of the hit NBC sitcom "Seinfeld." He was a familiar face to television audiences, guest-starring on different shows from 1958-2000, including "The Odd Couple," "Hill Street Blues," "St. Elsewhere," "Murphy Brown," "Golden Girls," "Murder, She Wrote," "Mama's Family," and "The Wonder Years." Barney Martin was Born in Queens, New York on March 3, 1923. After High School, he became a pilot in the Air Force during World War II. He later served as a New York City Police officer, and even tried playing Major League Baseball, but is was not meant to be. With acting as his true calling, he appeared on Broadway in musicals which include "South Pacific," "The Fantasticks," "How Now Dow Jones," and his best known part was in the hit musical "Chicago." His first film role in Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 classic "The Wrong Man," but was not credited for his role. His big break came when he was discovered for larger-scale films by Mel Brooks, who cast him in "The Producers" in 1968. His other film works included "Charly" also in 1968, and "Twinky" in 1969. His biggest movie role was that of Liza Minnelli's father in "Arthur" and its sequel. He was first seen on the small screen as a contestant on "I've Got A Secret" in 1958. Barney was not the first actor to play 'Morty' on Seinfeld. Actor Phil Burns originated the role in the first season, but it was Barney that played him from the second season until the show went off the air in 1998. Barney's last television appearance was as 'Ambassador Major,' a cartoon voice on "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" in 2000.
Prolific Character Actor. Fondly remembered for his role of 'Morty Seinfeld,' Jerry's father, in more than 20 episodes of the hit NBC sitcom "Seinfeld." He was a familiar face to television audiences, guest-starring on different shows from 1958-2000, including "The Odd Couple," "Hill Street Blues," "St. Elsewhere," "Murphy Brown," "Golden Girls," "Murder, She Wrote," "Mama's Family," and "The Wonder Years." Barney Martin was Born in Queens, New York on March 3, 1923. After High School, he became a pilot in the Air Force during World War II. He later served as a New York City Police officer, and even tried playing Major League Baseball, but is was not meant to be. With acting as his true calling, he appeared on Broadway in musicals which include "South Pacific," "The Fantasticks," "How Now Dow Jones," and his best known part was in the hit musical "Chicago." His first film role in Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 classic "The Wrong Man," but was not credited for his role. His big break came when he was discovered for larger-scale films by Mel Brooks, who cast him in "The Producers" in 1968. His other film works included "Charly" also in 1968, and "Twinky" in 1969. His biggest movie role was that of Liza Minnelli's father in "Arthur" and its sequel. He was first seen on the small screen as a contestant on "I've Got A Secret" in 1958. Barney was not the first actor to play 'Morty' on Seinfeld. Actor Phil Burns originated the role in the first season, but it was Barney that played him from the second season until the show went off the air in 1998. Barney's last television appearance was as 'Ambassador Major,' a cartoon voice on "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" in 2000.
Bio by: The Perplexed Historian
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