At the age of 99, Mike Nussbaum, a seasoned actor with a storied career in theater and film who was best recognized for his parts in Men in Black, Field of Dreams, and Fatal Attraction, departed from this life.
For fifty years, Mike Nussbaum, a legendary figure in theater and film, mesmerized audiences with his captivating performances. From the nostalgic baseball magic of Field of Dreams to the alien mysteries of Men in Black, Nussbaum made a lasting impression on the film industry.
His ability was unrestricted, and even in his later years, he performed on Chicago stages. In 2019, the League of Chicago Theaters awarded him a well-earned lifetime achievement award. At the astounding age of 95, Nussbaum, a true thespian, still managed to captivate audiences in plays like Hamlet.
How did Karen Nussbaum pass away?
Karen Nussbaum, his daughter, confirmed the news and stated that “old age” was the cause of death.
After an extraordinary 50 years of performing on Chicago stages, Nussbaum was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the League of Chicago Theaters in 2019.
He was still actively performing in Hamlet at ninety-five years of age. Nussbaum, who is remembered as a wonderful father and a man who appreciated justice, leaves a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Tributes poured in for Karen Nussbaum
On social media, a number of actors honored Mike Nussbaum after learning of his passing.
Writer John Cusack posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “RIP Mike Nussbaum – a truly great actor of stage and screen – with stage his greatest love – I’ve seen him on stage all my life – always pitch-perfect in anything he ever did – and a true gentleman – Chicago Icon.”
“A wonderful actor and a fine man have passed away in Chicago. “Goodnight, Mike Nussbaum—you were truly unique,” said The Gilded Age actress Carrie Coon. “Never not good,” continued Michael McKean, star of Laverne & Shirley and This Is Spinal Tap. Mike Nussbaum, rest in peace.”
“Chicago theater legend and film/TV character actor Mike Nussbaum has died just six days short of his 100th birthday,” said Sun-Times movie and TV critic Richard Roeper in honor of the late actor on X. Good sir, go to bed.
Remebering Karen Nussbaum
Mike Nussbaum was raised in Albany Park, Chicago, and was born into a Jewish family on December 29, 1923. He married soon after returning to the city after serving in the military during World War II. Nussbaum played important positions in the Army, one of which was head of General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s message center.
He was in charge of sending out the formal announcement of Germany’s surrender in this capacity. After serving in the armed forces, Nussbaum worked with his brother-in-law for twenty years in an extermination company.
Nussbaum, who was raised in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, didn’t start acting professionally until he was in his 40s. According to the AP, he was employed as an exterminator prior to this change.
His friendship with fellow Chicagoan David Mamet turned into a pivotal period in his career, involving roles in some of Mamet’s most well-known pieces, including Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo, and Relativity.
For his performance in Glengarry Glen Ross in 1984, he was given a Drama Desk award. Along the way, Nussbaum participated in plays such as Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and Tom Stoppard’s Jumpers.
Nussbaum not only made significant contributions to theater but also established a strong career in film and television. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he has notable roles in the films Men in Black as the alien jeweler Gentle Rosenburg, Fatal Attraction as a book publisher, and Field of Dreams as a school principal. He also appeared in television shows like Fraiser, The X-Files, and L.A. Law, according to his IMDb profile.
