John Karlen
Biography
John Karlen, born John Adam Karlewicz, was an American character actor born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, on May 28, 1933. He died on January 22, 2020, at the age of 86. Karlen was known for his television work, including playing multiple roles such as Willie Loomis, Carl Collins, William H. Loomis, Desmond Collins, Alex Jenkins, and Kendrick Young on the ABC serial Dark Shadows in various episodes airing from 1966 to 1971. He also played Harvey Lacey, the husband of Mary Beth Lacey, who was played by Tyne Daly, on the CBS crime series Cagney and Lacey from 1982 to 1988. During his career, he accumulated 97 known acting credits.
Career overview
John Karlen was born John Adam Karlewicz on May 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, and passed away on January 22, 2020, at the age of 86. He was an American character actor known for his television work across multiple series.
Karlen played multiple roles including Willie Loomis, Carl Collins, William H. Loomis, Desmond Collins, Alex Jenkins, and Kendrick Young on the ABC serial Dark Shadows, appearing in various episodes that aired from 1966 to 1971. In addition to his work on Dark Shadows, he played Harvey Lacey, the husband of Mary Beth Lacey, who was played by Tyne Daly, on the CBS crime series Cagney & Lacey from 1982 to 1988. Over the course of his career, Karlen accumulated ninety-seven known acting credits.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
102 titles- Master of Dark Shadows (2019) as Self
- Cagney & Lacey: True Convictions (1996) as Harvey Lacey
- Cagney & Lacey: Together Again (1995) as Harvey Lacey
- Cagney & Lacey: The View Through the Glass Ceiling (1995) as Harvey Lacey
- MacShayne: Winner Takes All (1994) as Waldo Church
- Cagney & Lacey: The Return (1994) as Harvey Lacey
- Roseanne: An Unauthorized Biography (1994) as Jerry Barr
- Surf Ninjas (1993) as Mac
- Without Warning: Terror in the Towers (1993) as Jack McAllister
- Mad About You (1992) as Gus Stemple
- The Dark Wind (1992) as Jake West
- Calendar Girl, Cop, Killer? The Bambi Bembenek Story (1992) as John Garner
- In a Child's Name (1991) as Joe Silvano
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin (1991) as Jake Morrison
- Nightmare on the 13th Floor (1990) as Sgt. Madden
- Snoops (1989) as Sam Akers
- The Cover Girl and the Cop (1989) as Lieutenant Wingo
- Babycakes (1989) as Al
- Police Story (1988) as Capt. Harrison
- Police Story: Burnout (1988) as Capt. Harrison
- Date Rape (1988) as Joe Farrell
- Daddy (1987) as Mike Burnette
- Downpayment on Murder (1987) as Albert
- Native Son (1986) as Max
- Welcome Home, Bobby (1986) as Geffin
- The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1986) as Chapel
- 227 (1985)
- Hostage Flight (1985) as DiSalvo
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Lt. Martin McGinn
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Patrick MacNair
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Superintendent Arthur Joyce
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984) as Arthur Barwell
- Racing with the Moon (1984) as Mr. Nash
- Impulse (1984) as Bob Russell
- Gimme an 'F' (1984) as Bucky Berkshire
- American Playhouse (1982) as Reverend Walker
- American Playhouse (1982) as Boris Max
- Cagney & Lacey (1982) as Harvey Lacey
- Fame (1982)
- Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story (1982) as Uncle George
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- Pennies from Heaven (1981) as The Detective
- American Dream (1981) as Coach Ritter
- The Long Days of Summer (1980) as Duane Haley
- Trapper John, M.D. (1979)
- Supertrain (1979) as Quinn
- The Return of Mod Squad (1979) as Marty
- The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang (1979) as Charlie Powers
- Express to Terror (1979) as Quinn
- Vega$ (1978)
- Kaz (1978)
- Sword of Justice (1978)
- Killer's Delight (1978) as Danny
- Colorado C.I. (1978) as Kessler
- Lou Grant (1977) as Ken Navaretti
- The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
- Weekend Special (1977)
- Hunter (1977) as Power plant worker
- Charlie's Angels (1976) as Leonard Chaffey
- Quincy, M.E. (1976)
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as Agent Brice
- A Small Town in Texas (1976) as Lenny
- Starsky & Hutch (1975)
- Joe Forrester (1975)
- Mobile One (1975) as Mickey Scanlon
- Trilogy of Terror (1975) as Thomas Amman
- Melvin Purvis G-Man (1975) as 'Tony' Anthony Redecci
- The Kansas City Massacre (1975) as Sam Cowley
- Delancey Street: The Crisis Within (1975) as Richard Copell
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Leo
- The Invasion of Carol Enders (1974) as David Hastings
- Nightmare at 43 Hillcrest (1974) as Frank Linwood
- The Cloning of Clifford Swimmer (1974)
- Barnaby Jones (1973) as Johnny Alban
- Kojak (1973) as Pinky
- Kojak (1973) as Hicks
- Police Story (1973)
- The Magician (1973) as Jim Russell
- Doc Elliot (1973) as Vincent Parker
- Frankenstein (1973) as Otto Roget
- The Picture of Dorian Gray (1973) as Alan Campbell
- Frankenstein (1973) as Otto Roget
- Shirts/Skins (1973) as Herbie Bush
- The Waltons (1972) as Rev. Ezekiel L. Henshaw
- ABC Afterschool Special (1972) as Joe Farrell
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972)
- The Sixth Sense (1972)
- Night of Terror (1972) as Manning
- All in the Family (1971) as Leo
- Daughters of Darkness (1971) as Stefan Chilton
- Night of Dark Shadows (1971) as Alex Jenkins
- House of Dark Shadows (1970) as Willie Loomis
- Medical Center (1969) as Frank Crane
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Harris
- The Mod Squad (1968) as Johnny Wexford
- Mannix (1967)
- Dark Shadows (1966) as Willie Loomis
- Stoney Burke (1962) as Mickey
- The Gallant Men (1962)
- The Detectives (1959)
- Naked City (1958) as Chuck
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Ned
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Karlen best known for?
John Karlen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Mad About You (1992), Catch-22 (1970), Daddy (1987), Angel Face (1953).
When and where was John Karlen born?
John Karlen was born on May 28, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on January 22, 2020.
How many credits does John Karlen have?
John Karlen has accumulated over 102 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2019.
What is John Karlen's background in cinema and television?
John Karlen, born John Adam Karlewicz, was an American character actor born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, on May 28, 1933. He died on January 22, 2020, at the age of 86. Karlen was known for his television work, including playing multiple roles such as Willie Loomis, Carl Collins, William H. Loomis, Desmond Col...