Veteran actor Ben Gazzara, who appeared in more than 100 films and TV series over his 60-year career, died Friday in New York City at the age of 81. The cause was pancreatic cancer. Gazzara made his move debut in 1957’s The Strange One. He then turned to television in the 1960s, starring for two years in the NBC crime series Run for Your Life. He partnered with John Cassavetes in The Killing of the Chinese Bookie in 1976 and Opening Night in 1977. Later in life, he had a career revival with roles in Summer of Sam and The Big Lebowski. Gazzara is survived by his wife of 30 years, Elke, a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Anthony.
