Actor. Possibly best known for his roles in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980) and Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" (1982), he was born the son of Polish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York. Following two years of service in the United States Army during the Second World War, he began his career in acting. Early roles varied from portrayals of mobsters, to soldiers, and genies. In addition to big screen roles, he appeared in a number of television productions during the first decades of his career. Noted syndications in which he played include "Bonanza," "Bat Masterson," "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," "Miami Vice," and "Kojak." His two most prolific film roles came in 1980 and 1982. In the cult sci-fi classic, "Blade Runner," he brought to life Dr. Eldon Tyrell, the creator of the replicants which co-star Harrison Ford's character sets out to uncover and dispatch. Two years earlier, in the famed adaptation of Stephen King's work "The Shining," he played the Overlook Hotel's spectral bar tender, Lloyd. In that role he subtly pushes star Jack Nicholson's character deeper into the throws of addiction and insanity all while maintaining a menacing calm. With that particular role, he became one of only two actors to have collaborated with Stanley Kubrick three times; the other being his "Shining" co-star, Philip Stone. Turkel retired from acting after 1990's "The Dark Side of the Moon." Though retired, he remained active, attending political rallies and composing screenplays. Shortly before his death, he finalized his memoirs entitled "The Misery of Success."
Actor. Possibly best known for his roles in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980) and Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" (1982), he was born the son of Polish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York. Following two years of service in the United States Army during the Second World War, he began his career in acting. Early roles varied from portrayals of mobsters, to soldiers, and genies. In addition to big screen roles, he appeared in a number of television productions during the first decades of his career. Noted syndications in which he played include "Bonanza," "Bat Masterson," "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," "Miami Vice," and "Kojak." His two most prolific film roles came in 1980 and 1982. In the cult sci-fi classic, "Blade Runner," he brought to life Dr. Eldon Tyrell, the creator of the replicants which co-star Harrison Ford's character sets out to uncover and dispatch. Two years earlier, in the famed adaptation of Stephen King's work "The Shining," he played the Overlook Hotel's spectral bar tender, Lloyd. In that role he subtly pushes star Jack Nicholson's character deeper into the throws of addiction and insanity all while maintaining a menacing calm. With that particular role, he became one of only two actors to have collaborated with Stanley Kubrick three times; the other being his "Shining" co-star, Philip Stone. Turkel retired from acting after 1990's "The Dark Side of the Moon." Though retired, he remained active, attending political rallies and composing screenplays. Shortly before his death, he finalized his memoirs entitled "The Misery of Success."
Bio by: The Kentucky Hill Hunter
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Turkel memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
