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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dan Ziskie dead: House of Cards star dies as family pays tribute to 'remarkable talent'
Dan Ziskie, who starred in House of Cards and Treme, has died at the age of 80. The actor's family confirmed the news of his passing, saying he was 'a man of remarkable talent' Actor Dan Ziskie, famed for his gripping performances of political figures in House of Cards and Treme, has sadly died aged 80. His family confirmed that he died on 21 July in New York City due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Born in Detroit in 1944, Ziskie's path to stardom was far from ordinary. Prior to stepping into the spotlight, he was a university athlete, a freighter crewman, and even dabbled in journalism. His acting career took off at Chicago's Second City, where he refined his skills alongside comedy greats like John Belushi. He later relocated to New York, making his Broadway debut in 1980 and featuring in productions such as Morning's at Seven, I'm Not Rappaport, and After the Fall. Ziskie's television career was punctuated by roles that demonstrated his range. He played Vice President Jim Matthews in the early seasons of House of Cards and financier CJ. Liguori in HBO's Treme, reports the Daily Star. He appeared in six episodes of House of Cards from 2013 to 2017, acting alongside stars including Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright and Michael Kelly. The series won several Primetime Emmys and secured dozens of nominations and continued for six seasons. Ziskie also played New Orleans banker and reconstruction financier C.J. Liguori in HBO drama Treme, which aired from 2010 to 2013. He starred alongside Khandi Alexander, Rob Brown, Kim Dickens, Melissa Leo, Lucia Micarelli, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce, Jon Seda and Steve Zahn His other notable telly appearances include Law and Order, The Blacklist, Sex and the City, and Chappelle's Show. On the silver screen, he featured in films such as The Jackal, War of the Worlds, and portrayed NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue in the 2015 film Concussion. Beyond acting, Ziskie was a skilled photographer. His work graced major publications, and he published a photo book titled Cloud Chamber in 2017. He is survived by his brother David, sister-in-law Cynthia, his nephews Jesse, Brett, and Austin, and their six children. His family described him as "a man of remarkable talent and a keen observer of life." They added that he was "as vibrant and multifaceted as the characters he portrayed on stage and screen". His family wrote: 'Dan was a man of remarkable talent and a keen observer of life. "He was as vibrant and multifaceted as the characters he portrayed on stage and screen. His was a life lived with passion, a life that exemplified the beauty of pursuing one's dreams and the importance of cherishing every moment. "Dan will be profoundly missed, yet he will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him, like a cherished character in the timeless narrative of their lives."
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'House of Cards' actor Dan Ziskie dies at 80
Dan Ziskie, a veteran character actor known for his roles in acclaimed television series such as House of Cards and Treme, died on July 21 at the age of 80. According to his family, the cause of death was arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Born in Detroit, Ziskie earned a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan. Early in his career, he worked as a crewman aboard a Great Lakes freighter before relocating to Chicago, where he became involved with the renowned Second City Comedy Troupe. There, he collaborated with iconic comedians including John Belushi, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Joe Flaherty. Ziskie transitioned to the stage in the 1980s, serving as an understudy in the Broadway revival of Paul Osborn's Morning's at Seven and later joining the cast of Herb Gardner's I'm Not Rappaport. He moved into television with appearances on shows like Remington Steele, The Equalizer, and Quantum Leap, and also had roles in several films including Adventures in Babysitting, O.C. and Stiggs, Synecdoche, New York, and Troop Beverly Hills. In more recent years, Ziskie was best known for recurring roles on HBO's Treme and Netflix's House of Cards, in which he portrayed the Vice President of the United States. He also co-starred in ABC's Zero Hour alongside Anthony Edwards and made guest appearances on popular series such as Gossip Girl, ER, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Elementary, Bull, and Blue Bloods. He was also featured on Chappelle's Show in 2004. Beyond acting, Ziskie was a passionate street photographer. In 2017, he published a photo book titled Cloud Chamber, showcasing scenes of New York City. Ziskie is survived by his brother David and sister-in-law Cynthia, along with nephews Jesse, Brett, and Austin, and their six children.
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Stephen Tobolowsky talks about ‘Freaky Friday' role
When Stephen Tobolowsky's team encouraged him to audition for a movie called 'Freaky Friday,' his first thought was 'Oh God, how low we have fallen.' The Dallas native and Southern Methodist University alumnus was fresh off a stint on Broadway with a Tony nomination for his role in 'Morning's at Seven' to show for it. That career high came after playing a slew of memorable characters — the oft-quoted, pestering Ned Ryerson in 1993's 'Groundhog Day,' a Ku Klux Klan leader in the 1988 thriller 'Mississippi Burning.' But Tobolowsky would change his mind about 'Freaky Friday,' the 2003 body-swap flick that became a cult classic, after reading its script. 'This is amazing,' he thought. Now, more than two decades later, he is reprising his role as the grumpy teacher Mr. Bates in the reboot 'Freakier Friday,' which again stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as mother and daughter. Ahead of the sequel's theatrical release on Aug. 8, Tobolowsky, 74, spoke with The Dallas Morning News from his home in California. He had not yet seen the movie (jury duty caused him to miss the premiere), but reflecting on his appearance, he said, 'My first experience was so good, I assumed I would have a good time again. And I did.' What do you remember from filming 'Freaky Friday'? I show up the first day to 'Freaky Friday' and Jamie Lee Curtis has called us into this classroom — all the actors — and she's at the front of the class. She said, 'Everybody, this is a very important movie we're doing and I want everyone to be on their best. We don't want anyone being late. We don't want anyone goofing off. We put all of our fun on the screen.' She was this great leader. So I shot 'Freaky Friday.' It's kind of a cute movie, OK? And I'm walking down Hollywood Boulevard one night. This is just absolutely the weirdest story in the world. And Mark Waters, the director of 'Freaky Friday,' comes out of a movie theatre across the street from the Chinese Theater. Mark Waters says, 'Oh, Stephen, have you seen any of 'Freaky Friday'?' I go, 'No.' Mark brings me into this theatre and he starts showing me scenes. I'm thinking this could be one of the best movies I've ever seen. What stood out to you? We all have this desire to see where we were before. ('Freaky Friday') plugs into the idea of, where was I? Where did I make the mistake? Where did I do the thing right that I didn't expect I would do right? It's the magic of being able to look back. Did you have any teachers who reminded you of Mr. Bates? Several teachers at Kimball (High School). My physics teacher, Melvin Moses. There's a little bit of Mr. Bates in him. My algebra teacher. They both fancied themselves as kind of humorous, but we were always so scared of them because they were so strict. But when you're an actor, you don't try to let the tail wag the dog. I don't want to say, 'Well I'm playing a teacher so I'm gonna take elements of one of my teachers into it.' (Mr. Bates), he's someone who never achieved what he thought he could achieve. And because of that he is a little jealous and a little envious. If you could swap bodies with someone, who would it be? One of the greatest people I ever knew was our Black maid, Lenora. We grew up in an incredibly racist area. She went from being our maid to eventually a district manager of Avon (a cosmetics company). And then she came over to our house and said, 'I'd like to buy your house and every stick of furniture in it.' My Mom and Dad said, 'OK.' She said, 'I always wanted to live in the house where I worked and I wanted to own it.' Doing stuff in show business, it's make-believe courage, but to know someone with real courage and going through real obstacles, that would be somebody whose shoes I would like to step inside. Tribune News Service
