Born: August 10, 1914 – Died: August 16, 2002.
Jeff Corey, born as Arthur Zwerling on August 10, 1914, in New York City, was a renowned film and television character actor and one of America's top acting teachers. With his talents and expertise, Corey left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. His parents, Mary and Nathan Zwerling, were Russian and Austrian Jewish immigrants respectively. Despite being an indifferent student, Corey's passion for acting was ignited after taking a drama class in high school. He went on to become a highly respected actor and a sought-after teacher, leaving a lasting impact on the craft. Corey's significant contributions to the entertainment industry continue to be celebrated and remembered.
Early Life and Career
Jeff Corey, born as Arthur Zwerling on August 10, 1914, in New York City, was the son of Mary and Nathan Zwerling. His parents were Russian and Austrian Jewish immigrants.
After discovering his passion for acting, Corey attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Arts, which was the top acting school in New York City at the time. He received a scholarship to study there and honed his craft. After completing his studies, Corey began his professional acting career.
Corey's first professional acting role was with a Shakespearean repertory company. He then joined a traveling troupe that performed for children. In 1936, he appeared in a Broadway production of Hamlet, playing the role of Rosencrantz. This marked the beginning of his successful career in both theater and film.
Corey's career gained momentum in the 1950s after he was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for refusing to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. However, he made a strong comeback in the 1960s and became a busy character actor in both movies and television. He was known for his ability to bring depth and nuance to his roles, and his reputation as an actor's actor made him a sought-after collaborator.
Aside from his acting work, Corey made significant contributions as an acting teacher. His renowned classes, which emphasized individualized work with actors and tapped into their emotions and psyche, earned him a reputation as one of the top acting teachers in America. Many successful actors, including Jack Nicholson and Anne Bancroft, attribute their growth and success in part to Corey's teachings.
Corey was married to his wife Hope for 64 years until his death in 2002. The couple had three daughters and grandchildren.
While Corey didn't receive many individual awards, his impact as an actor and teacher is widely recognized. He was known for his commitment to the craft and his ability to enhance the performances of those he worked with. Corey's contributions to Hollywood and the entertainment industry continue to be celebrated and remembered.
Overall, Jeff Corey's talent, skill as an actor, and his profound influence as a teacher left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. He is considered a respected figure and his work continues to inspire aspiring actors and artists alike.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The District (TV Series) | Vernon Stanley |
| 2000 | Charmed (TV Series) | Council Member |
| 1998 | Brimstone (TV Series) | Collector |
| 1998 | Ted | Professor |
| 1997 | American Hero | Unknown |
| 1997 | Nothing Sacred (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1997 | Perversions of Science (TV Series) | The Judge |
| 1997 | Murphy Brown (TV Series) | Elderly Man |
| 1995–1997 | Spider-Man: The Animated Series (TV Series) | Silvermane | Silvio Manfredi (voice) |
| 1996 | The Lottery (TV Movie) | Albert Smith |
| 1996 | Babylon 5 (TV Series) | Justin |
| 1995 | Picket Fences (TV Series) | The Captain |
| 1995 | The Home Court (TV Series) | Arthur |
| 1995 | The Marshal (TV Series) | Alex Cooper |
| 1994 | Locals (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1994 | Surviving the Game | Hank |
| 1994 | Color of Night | Ashland |
| 1993 | Beethoven's 2nd | Gus, the Janitor |
| 1993 | Moon Over Miami (TV Series) | Louis Best |
| 1992 | Deception | Joe Dick |
| 1992 | Sinatra (TV Mini Series) | Quinlin |
| 1992 | The Washing Machine Man (TV Movie) | Eddie Sills |
| 1991 | Lightning Force (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1991 | Payoff (TV Movie) | Don Anzia |
| 1991 | Gabriel's Fire (TV Series) | Daniel Mosley |
| 1990 | The Judas Project | Poneras |
| 1990 | To My Daughter (TV Movie) | Travis |
| 1990 | Bagdad Cafe (TV Series) | Calvin |
| 1990 | Babes (TV Series) | Wranglin' Rick |
| 1990 | Beauty and the Beast (TV Series) | Winston Burke |
| 1990 | Bird on a Wire | Lou Baird |
| 1990 | The Rose and the Jackal (TV Movie) | James Buchanan |
| 1989 | Jake and the Fatman (TV Series) | Judge Ralph Colella |
| 1989 | Santa Barbara (TV Series) | Roger Wainwright |
| 1989 | A Deadly Silence (TV Movie) | Judge Harvey W. Sherman |
| 1989 | Roseanne (TV Series) | Salesman |
| 1989 | The Magic Boy's Easter (Video) | The Servant |
| 1988 | War of the Worlds (TV Series) | Francis Flannery |
| 1988 | Messenger of Death | Willis Beecham |
| 1988 | Cognac | Pukovnik Frejzer |
| 1987 | Perfect Strangers (TV Series) | Henry Casselman |
| 1986 | Starman (TV Series) | Hal Walker |
| 1986 | The A-Team (TV Series) | A.J. Bancroft |
| 1986 | True Confessions (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1986 | Second Serve (TV Movie) | Dr. Harry Benjamin |
| 1986 | Morningstar/Eveningstar (TV Series) | Bill McGregor |
| 1986 | Fist of the North Star | Ryuuken | Narrator (1991) (English version, voice) |
| 1984–1986 | Night Court (TV Series) | Judge Hirsch | Santa |
| 1985 | Hell Town (TV Series) | Lawyer Sam |
| 1985 | Final Jeopardy (TV Movie) | Derelict |
| 1985 | Creator | Dean Harrington |
| 1985 | Hell Town (TV Movie) | Lawyer Sam |
| 1985 | Simon & Simon (TV Series) | Police Sgt. Spencer |
| 1984 | Newhart (TV Series) | Judge Drayton |
| 1984 | Faerie Tale Theatre (TV Series) | Father |
| 1984 | Conan the Destroyer | Grand Vizier |
| 1984 | Whiz Kids (TV Series) | Martin Beal |
| 1983 | Manimal (TV Series) | Zeke Bethune |
| 1983 | Amanda's (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1983 | Archie Bunker's Place (TV Series) | Michael Gorman |
| 1982 | Knots Landing (TV Series) | Peter Mackenzie |
| 1982 | Cry for the Strangers (TV Movie) | Riley |
| 1982 | The Powers of Matthew Star (TV Series) | Vohll |
| 1982 | The Sword and the Sorcerer | Craccus |
| 1980–1982 | Lou Grant (TV Series) | Larry Hill | Hugh Holstrom | Mr. Bergman |
| 1982 | King's Crossing (TV Series) | Ray Walker |
| 1979–1981 | Little House on the Prairie (TV Series) | Edgar Mills | Judge Parker |
| 1980 | Breaking Away (TV Series) | Professor Manchester |
| 1980 | Homeward Bound (TV Movie) | George |
| 1980 | Battle Beyond the Stars | Zed |
| 1979 | Up River | Bagshaw |
| 1978–1979 | Barney Miller (TV Series) | Caleb Webber | Ralph Timmons |
| 1979 | Butch and Sundance: The Early Days | Ray Bledsoe |
| 1979 | One Day at a Time (TV Series) | Mr. Romano |
| 1978 | The Pirate (TV Movie) | Prince Feiyad |
| 1978 | Greatest Heroes of the Bible (TV Series) | Saul |
| 1978 | Fantasy Island (TV Series) | Tibur (uncredited) |
| 1978 | The Wild Geese | Mr. Martin |
| 1978 | Jennifer | Luke Baylor |
| 1978 | Rooster: Spurs of Death! | Kink |
| 1978 | What's Happening!! (TV Series) | Hassan |
| 1977 | Captains Courageous (TV Movie) | Salters |
| 1977 | Oh, God! | Rabbi Silverstone |
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Show (TV Series) | Leader of the Dalton Gang | Judge | Gunslinger |
| 1977 | Curse of the Black Widow (TV Movie) | Aspa Soldado |
| 1977 | Moonshine County Express | Hagen |
| 1977 | Testimony of Two Men (TV Mini Series) | William Simpson |
| 1977 | The Bionic Woman (TV Series) | Thomas Bearclaw |
| 1976 | Roxy Page (TV Movie) | Alex Hagopian |
| 1976 | Switch (TV Series) | A.J. Gunther |
| 1976 | The Last Tycoon | Doctor |
| 1976 | The Sad and Lonely Sundays (TV Movie) | Dean Miller |
| 1976 | Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Free (TV Movie) | Judge Janeway |
| 1976 | McCloud (TV Series) | Sheik Kampal |
| 1975 | Kojak (TV Series) | Frank Raynor |
| 1975 | The Premonition | Lt. Mark Denver |
| 1975 | Run, Joe, Run (TV Series) | Will |
| 1975 | Starsky and Hutch (TV Series) | Andrew Mello |
| 1975 | Doctors' Hospital (TV Series) | Dr. Arthur Wilson |
| 1975 | Paper Tiger | Mr. King |
| 1975 | The Six Million Dollar Man (TV Series) | Orin Thatcher |
| 1974 | From Sea to Shining Sea (TV Series) | Andrew Jackson |
| 1974 | Paper Moon (TV Series) | Jeb Crew |
| 1974 | The Gun and the Pulpit (TV Movie) | Head of Posse |
| 1974 | Hawkins (TV Series) | Julian Maynard |
| 1973 | Police Story (TV Series) | Defense Attorney |
| 1973 | Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (TV Series) | Monsignor Morell |
| 1973 | The Bob Newhart Show (TV Series) | Dr. Scott Rivers |
| 1973 | The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series) | Ralph Bowen, U.S. Senator |
| 1973 | The Fuzz Brothers (TV Movie) | Captain Lean |
| 1973 | Set This Town on Fire (TV Movie) | Walter Stafford |
| 1972 | Alias Smith and Jones (TV Series) | Governor George W. Baxter |
| 1972 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Gen. McClellan |
| 1972 | The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (TV Series) | Jack Mitgang |
| 1972 | Search (TV Series) | Dr. Carl Moen |
| 1972 | Something Evil (TV Movie) | Gehrmann |
| 1970–1971 | Night Gallery (TV Series) | Radio Newscaster (segment "Tell David...") | Dr. Miles Talmadge (segment "The Dead Man") |
| 1971 | Catlow | Merridew |
| 1969–1971 | Hawaii Five-O (TV Series) | Andrew Duncan | Dr. William Hanson |
| 1971 | Clay Pigeon | Clinic Doctor |
| 1971 | Shoot Out | Trooper |
| 1971 | Mannix (TV Series) | Paul Sorenson |
| 1971 | The Psychiatrist (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1966–1971 | Bonanza (TV Series) | Frank Brennan | Tuck Dowling |
| 1971 | Big Fish, Little Fish (TV Movie) | Paul Stumpfig |
| 1970 | Little Big Man | Wild Bill Hickok |
| 1970 | Headmaster (TV Series) | Mr. Hiller |
| 1970 | Cover Me Babe | Paul Rogers |
| 1970 | They Call Me Mister Tibbs! | Captain Marden |
| 1970 | Getting Straight | Dr. Edward Wilhunt |
| 1970 | Beneath the Planet of the Apes | Caspay |
| 1970 | A Clear and Present Danger (TV Movie) | Beiseker |
| 1970 | The Movie Murderer (TV Movie) | Collier Landis |
| 1969 | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid | Sheriff Bledsoe |
| 1969 | True Grit | Tom Chaney |
| 1969 | Impasse | Wombat |
| 1969 | Star Trek (TV Series) | Plasus |
| 1969 | Gunsmoke (TV Series) | Judge Procter |
| 1968 | The Boston Strangler | John Asgeirsson |
| 1967–1968 | Judd for the Defense (TV Series) | District Attorney Rankin | Barron |
| 1965–1968 | The Wild Wild West (TV Series) | Col. Tacitus Mosely | Captain Ansel Coffin |
| 1967 | In Cold Blood | Mr. Hickock |
| 1967 | A Bell for Adano (TV Movie) | Cacopardo |
| 1966–1967 | Run for Your Life (TV Series) | Fred Morrissey | Abe Lincoln |
| 1967 | Iron Horse (TV Series) | Judge Fallon |
| 1967 | Garrison's Gorillas (TV Series) | Inspector Gauzmann |
| 1966 | Insight (TV Series) | Colonel Buckley |
| 1966 | Hawk (TV Series) | Newstand Owner (uncredited) |
| 1966 | Seconds | Mr. Ruby |
| 1966 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | Reverend Mr. Mansard |
| 1965 | Gomer Pyle: USMC (TV Series) | Sergeant Singer |
| 1965 | The Cincinnati Kid | Hoban |
| 1965 | Rawhide (TV Series) | Morgan Kane |
| 1965 | Mickey One | Fryer |
| 1965 | Once a Thief | Lt. Kebner SFPD |
| 1965 | Pyramid of the Sun God | Abraham Lincoln (uncredited) |
| 1965 | Treasure of the Aztecs | Abraham Lincoln |
| 1964 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | Bascom |
| 1964 | The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series) | Mr. Parent |
| 1964 | Lady in a Cage | George L. Brady Jr. |
| 1964 | Channing (TV Series) | Dr. Harvey |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Mr. Byron Lomax |
| 1963 | The Yellow Canary | Joe |
| 1963 | The Balcony | Bishop |
| 1962 | The Beachcomber (TV Series) | Mr. Jarred |
| 1961 | The Untouchables (TV Series) | Max Frimmel |
| 1960 | Inside Magoo (Short) | Doctor |
| 1952 | The Cases of Eddie Drake (TV Series) | Artie Allen |
| 1951 | Superman and the Mole-Men | Luke Benson |
| 1951 | Red Mountain | Sgt. Skee |
| 1951 | Never Trust a Gambler | Lou Brecker |
| 1951 | The Prince Who Was a Thief | Emir Mokar |
| 1951 | Sirocco | Feisal (uncredited) |
| 1951 | New Mexico | Coyote |
| 1951 | Only the Valiant | Joe Harmony |
| 1951 | Rawhide | Luke Davis |
| 1951 | Fourteen Hours | Police Sgt. Farley |
| 1950 | The Next Voice You Hear... | Freddie Dibson |
| 1950 | Bright Leaf | John Barton |
| 1950 | Rock Island Trail | Abe Lincoln |
| 1950 | The Outriders | Keeley |
| 1950 | Singing Guns | Richards |
| 1950 | The Nevadan | Bart |
| 1949 | Bagdad | Mohammed Jao |
| 1949 | Scene of the Crime | Man Arrested with Switchblade (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Follow Me Quietly | Police Sgt. Art Collins |
| 1949 | Home of the Brave | Doctor |
| 1949 | Roughshod | Jed Graham |
| 1949 | City Across the River | Police Lieutenant Louie Macon |
| 1949 | Hideout | Beecham |
| 1948 | Wake of the Red Witch | Mr. Loring |
| 1948 | Kidnapped | Shaun |
| 1948 | Joan of Arc | Her Prison Guard |
| 1948 | A Southern Yankee | Union Cavalry Sergeant (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Canon City | Carl Schwartzmiller |
| 1948 | I, Jane Doe | Immigration Officer (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Homecoming | Cigarette Smoker (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Let's Live Again | Bartender |
| 1948 | The Wreck of the Hesperus | Joshua Hill |
| 1948 | Alias a Gentleman | Zu |
| 1947 | The Gangster | Karty's Brother-in-Law (uncredited) |
| 1947 | The Flame | Stranger (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Unconquered | Trapper (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Hoppy's Holiday | Jed |
| 1947 | Brute Force | 'Freshman' Stack |
| 1947 | Miracle on 34th Street | Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Ramrod | Bice |
| 1947 | California | Clem (uncredited) |
| 1947 | The Shocking Miss Pilgrim | Stenographer (uncredited) |
| 1946 | The Killers | Blinky Franklin (uncredited) |
| 1946 | It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog | Sam Black (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Rendezvous with Annie | Howard (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Joe Palooka, Champ | Newspaper Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Somewhere in the Night | Bank Teller |
| 1943 | My Friend Flicka | Tim Murphy |
| 1943 | Aerial Gunner | Flight Crew Member (uncredited) |
| 1943 | The Moon Is Down | Albert (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man | Crypt Keeper (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Tennessee Johnson | Captain (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Girl Trouble | Mr. Mooney (uncredited) |
| 1942 | The Postman Didn't Ring | Harwood Green |
| 1942 | Syncopation | Kit's Attorney (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Small Town Deb | Hector |
| 1942 | The Man Who Wouldn't Die | Coroner Tim Larsen |
| 1942 | Who Is Hope Schuyler? | Medical Examiner |
| 1942 | Lone Star Ranger | Clerk |
| 1942 | Roxie Hart | Orderly (uncredited) |
| 1942 | North to the Klondike | Lafe Jordan |
| 1941 | Paris Calling | Secretary (uncredited) |
| 1941 | You Belong to Me | Mr. Greener (uncredited) |
| 1941 | All That Money Can Buy | Tom Sharp (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Mutiny in the Arctic | The Cook |
| 1941 | The Lady from Cheyenne | Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Petticoat Politics | Henry Trotter |
| 1940 | You'll Find Out | Mr. Corey (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Bitter Sweet | Second Man on Stairs (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Third Finger, Left Hand | Johann (uncredited) |
| 1939 | ...One Third of a Nation... | Man in Crowd at Fire (uncredited) |
| 1938 | I Am the Law | Thug (uncredited) |
| 1937 | I Promise to Pay | Crook in Montage (uncredited) |
