Lerner, a celebrated actor known for his performances in projects like X-Men: Days of Future Past and Clueless, has died at the age of 81. According to Deadline, Sam Lerner, the nephew of the Academy Award-nominated performer, shared the heartbreaking news via an Instagram post, which can be seen below. Lerner’s career spanned over 50 years and he appeared in a multitude of favorite and familiar titles.
In his post tribute, Michael Lerner wrote that Sam Lerner, his beloved uncle and a member of their family, was mourning the loss of their influential and brilliant uncle. Michael said that Sam often shared insight into his career in the entertainment biz and would give him the drive he needed to push himself. He crafted his lovingly written post with words of praise, calling Sam a legend.
Michael Lerner made one of his biggest splashes in the early ’90s when he appeared opposite fellow stars John Turturro, John Goodman, and Judy Davis in Joel and Ethan Coen’s film Barton Fink, which nabbed nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards. Lerner also held his first role in the 1968 experimental short film Smile, and went on to appear in several other major titles including Harlem Nights, National Lampoon’s Class Reunion, and Yoko Ono’s Ono than None.
The successful sitcom would bring back several original actors from the film, including Stacey Dash and Donald Faison, to star alongside Michael Lerner in the role of high school fashion-obsessed student. While it wouldn’t feature Alicia Silverstone as her favorite fan role, the spinoff television series of Clueless would show Cher’s father, Mel Horowitz, stepping into the iconic shoes of a designer in 1996.
In the 2019 mockumentary “Frankenstein, Monster’s Appearance,” David Harbour leads as the final actor, serving the big screen. Before rounding out things in Tony McNamara’s 2015 crime-centered comedy drama “Ashby,” he was featured as Senator Brickman in the 2014 X-Men film “Past Future Days.” Towards the end of his acting career, fans of Will Ferrell-led holiday classic “Elf” will recognize Michael Lerner as the mean boss, Mr. Greenway.
In his final TV appearance, Michael Lerner appeared in a one-off episode of the sitcom Maron, as well as in the beloved comedy-drama musical Glee, where he held a recurring role. He also appeared in other television titles such as Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit: Special Victims Unit, and The Good Wife. Later in his career, he had recurring roles in the sitcoms The Odd Couple and Wonder Woman, along with the series Clueless.
The official cause of death has not been released at this time. We are sending our condolences and well wishes to Michael Lerner’s family during this period of deep mourning. The official cause of death for the late actor has not been released at this time.