Steve Landesberg

Biography

Steve Landesberg was an American actor and comedian who built a career on stand-up before landing the role he became best known for: the unflappable detective Arthur P. Dietrich on the ABC sitcom Barney Miller. Born in the Bronx, he played the part in 124 episodes, from the final show of the 1975 season through the series finale in 1982, and earned three Emmy nominations for it. His stand-up work brought frequent appearances on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show, where he relied on celebrity impersonations and dialects. He was a cast member of the 1974 CBS comedy Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers, guested on programs including The Rockford Files, The Golden Girls and That '70s Show, and starred as Dr. Myron Finkelstein on the Starz series Head Case. His film credits included Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008).

74years old at death

Born November 23, 1936New York City
Died December 20, 2010Los Angeles
Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
Also credited as Stephen Landesberg

Movie Career

Films: 4
Career span: 35 years1973 to 2008

Every film, newest first

2008Forgetting Sarah MarshallIMDb rating 7.1
1993Little Miss MillionsIMDb rating 5.3
1991Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. IndianapolisIMDb rating 6.3
1973BladeIMDb rating 5.3

Genres

Did you know?!

A change of course
Landesberg built a successful career in stand-up comedy, frequently appearing on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show. In his monologues he liked to do celebrity impersonations and dialects, which he used to get laughs.
A change of course
During the mid-1980s, Landesberg appeared in TV and print ads as the spokesman for Northwestern Bell's long-distance telephone services. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he was also a TV spokesman for AAMCO Transmissions.