Larry Dobkin

Emmy-nommed character actor

By VARIETY STAFF

Emmy-nommed character actor Larry Dobkin, also known for directing many TV shows and writing the 1976 film "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams," died of heart failure Oct. 28 in his Los Angeles home. He was 83.

He appeared in more than 65 feature films including "The Ten Commandments," "Sweet Smell of Success," "North by Northwest," "Patton," Julius Caesar," "The Defiant Ones" and "Angels in the Outfield."

He received an Emmy nomination for his supporting role in the 1967 "CBS Playhouse" production of "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night."

In the 1950s, Dobkin appeared on such TV shows as "I Love Lucy" and "The Adventures of Superman" as well as numerous TV Westerns including "Gunsmoke," "Lawman," "The Rifleman" and "Rawhide." Most recently, he appeared on "NYPD Blue" and "Judging Amy."

He also directed episodes of "The Donna Reed Show," "Dr. Kildare," "The Waltons," "Barnaby Jones," "Charlie's Angels," "Dallas," "Dynasty" and "The Fall Guy."

On radio in the 1940s, he was one of five actors who played detective Ellery Queen and also appeared on "The Lux Radio Theatre" and "Philco Playhouse.

New York City native and Yale School of Drama grad began acting Off Broadway and understudied for Broadway's Lillian Hellman play "Watch on the Rhine" in 1942.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Anne; three daughters; a son; and a grandson.