At the age of 99, Mike Nussbaum, a well-known actor from Chicago, passed away. The entertainment industry will never be the same after the passing of seasoned Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum, whose remarkable abilities shone on stage and screen.
Mike, who is best remembered for playing Gentle Rosenberg in “Men in Black,” had a lengthy career that demonstrated a unique combination of adaptability and unwavering love for his work.
His journey through classic movies such as “Gladiator,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Fatal Attraction” attested to his amazing ability to authentically and deeply inhabit characters.
Mike Nussbaum bids farewell
Mike Nussbaum, a well-known actor from Chicago, died at the age of 99. Just a few days before turning 100, he passed away on Saturday morning at his Chicago home.
He was best known for playing Gentle Rosenberg in the film “Men in Black.” Mike departed peacefully from old age in bed, according to his daughter Karen, who was present at the time, saying, “It was his time.”
One of the oldest actors still in the business, Mike had spent the year before he passed away receiving hospice care. Throughout his incredible career, which spanned television and film, he had prominent roles in films like Gladiator, House of Games, Desperate Hours, Field of Dreams, and Fatal Attraction. The 2020 film “Tom of Your Life” was his last motion picture credit.
Mike Nussbaum credited his long career to luck
The late actor, who was blessed with three children by his first wife, Annette Brenner, called his long career “luck.” In a 2019 Chicago Sun-Times interview, he conveyed his appreciation for what he saw as his good genetic luck.
He claimed that his longevity was a result of leading a healthy lifestyle that included regular exercise, sensible eating practices, and giving up smoking about 50 years ago.
Rather than settle in one of the entertainment capitals of the world—Los Angeles or New York—he chose to establish himself in Chicago as part of his quest for a balanced life. He talked more about this choice, highlighting the fulfillment he had over the years as a Chicago actor.
He believed that the excessive focus on fame, glory, and wealth in both New York and Los Angeles was detrimental to the arts in those cities. Even though he was successful in both, he came to the conclusion that Chicago provided him with more balance in his life.
He felt more fulfilled by the small pleasures of riding the bus downtown and hearing someone thank him for his work than by the glamour of money and fame.
Remembering Mike Nussbaum’s legacy
American actor and director Mike Nussbaum was raised in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago after being born on December 29, 1923, into a Jewish family.
He was a key member of General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s message center during World War II, and after the war, he returned to Chicago and got married soon after. During his time in the military, he was notable for having sent out the official notification of Germany’s surrender.
Nussbaum co-owned an extermination company with his brother-in-law for twenty years. He started his acting career in community theater in the 1950s.
He met a young David Mamet and became a vital member of Chicago’s emerging professional theatrical community in the 1960s. The aforementioned connection resulted in multiple partnerships both off-Broadway and in Chicago, thereby solidifying Nussbaum’s role in Mamet’s plays.
Among the well-known films in his repertoire are “Field of Dreams,” “House of Games,” “Things Change,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “Men in Black.” Apart from performing, Nussbaum also directed films, such as ‘Where Have You Gone, Jimmy Stewart?’ back in 2002.
Nussbaum’s versatility was further demonstrated by his work in national campaigns for United Airlines and Scope mouthwash, as well as in local TV commercials for Northwest Federal Savings in Chicago. His impact extended beyond the stage and screen. Amazingly, he kept up his acting career well into his 90s, participating in theater productions until his death in 2023.
