Phil Bruns
Encyclopedia
Philip Bruns is an American
television actor and writer.
Bruns was born in Pipestone, Minnesota
. He is known for his portrayal of the character of Morty Seinfeld in the sitcom Seinfeld
, but he was replaced in the role by Barney Martin because the show's co-creator Larry David
thought the character should be more crotchety and Bruns was too laid back for the role. His only appearance came in the episode "The Stake Out."
He has also appeared in Night Court
, Just Shoot Me!
, and M*A*S*H. In his early career, he was frequently seen in TV commercials.
Bruns has appeared in dozens of films, TV commercials, on and Off-Broadway (winning an Obie award for "Mr. Simian" in the 1963-64 season).
He appeared in more commercials in 1968 than any other actor in the U.S.
He established the largest private school library in the Bahamas.
Bruns may be best remembered as George Shumway, the father on "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
" in the 1970s.
Other films he has appeared in include The Great Waldo Pepper
, Harry and Tonto
, Flashdance
, The Stunt Man
, My Favorite Year
, and Return of the Living Dead Part II
He resides in Hollywood with his wife, former Broadway musical actress Laurie Franks.
Bruns wrote a book, "The Character Actor's Do's, Don'ts And Anecdotes," which was published in early November, 2008. Academy Award-nominated actor, Peter O'Toole
wrote the foreword to Bruns' book.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television actor and writer.
Bruns was born in Pipestone, Minnesota
Pipestone, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,280 people, 1,900 households, and 1,138 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,090.8 people per square mile . There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 534.4 per square mile...
. He is known for his portrayal of the character of Morty Seinfeld in the sitcom Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
, but he was replaced in the role by Barney Martin because the show's co-creator Larry David
Larry David
Lawrence Gene "Larry" David is an American actor, writer, comedian and producer. He is best known as the co-creator , head writer, and executive producer of the television series Seinfeld from 1989 to 1996, and for creating the 1999 HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm, a partially improvised sitcom in...
thought the character should be more crotchety and Bruns was too laid back for the role. His only appearance came in the episode "The Stake Out."
He has also appeared in Night Court
Night Court
Night Court is an American television situation comedy that aired on NBC from January 4, 1984, to May 20, 1992. The setting was the night shift of a Manhattan court, presided over by the young, unorthodox Judge Harold T. "Harry" Stone...
, Just Shoot Me!
Just Shoot Me!
Just Shoot Me! is an American television sitcom that aired for seven seasons on NBC from March 4, 1997 to August 16, 2003, with 148 episodes produced. The show was created by Steven Levitan, the show's executive producer.-Description:...
, and M*A*S*H. In his early career, he was frequently seen in TV commercials.
Bruns has appeared in dozens of films, TV commercials, on and Off-Broadway (winning an Obie award for "Mr. Simian" in the 1963-64 season).
He appeared in more commercials in 1968 than any other actor in the U.S.
He established the largest private school library in the Bahamas.
Bruns may be best remembered as George Shumway, the father on "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman is an American soap opera parody that aired in daily syndication from January 1976 to May 1977. The series was produced by Norman Lear, directed by Joan Darling and starred Louise Lasser...
" in the 1970s.
Other films he has appeared in include The Great Waldo Pepper
The Great Waldo Pepper
The Great Waldo Pepper is a 1975 drama film directed, produced, and co-written by George Roy Hill. It stars Robert Redford as a discontented airplane pilot in the years 1926-1931....
, Harry and Tonto
Harry and Tonto
Harry and Tonto is a 1974 road movie written by Paul Mazursky and Josh Greenfeld and directed by Mazursky, starring Art Carney.-Synopsis:...
, Flashdance
Flashdance
Another song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
, The Stunt Man
The Stunt Man
The Stunt Man is a 1980 American film directed by Richard Rush, starring Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback, and Barbara Hershey. The movie was adapted by Lawrence B. Marcus and Rush from the novel by Paul Brodeur...
, My Favorite Year
My Favorite Year
My Favorite Year is a 1982 American comedy film directed by Richard Benjamin which tells the story of a young comedy writer. It stars Peter O'Toole, Mark Linn-Baker, Jessica Harper, Joseph Bologna, Lou Jacobi, Bill Macy, Lainie Kazan, Selma Diamond, Cameron Mitchell, and Gloria Stuart. O'Toole was...
, and Return of the Living Dead Part II
Return of the Living Dead Part II
Return of the Living Dead Part II is an American zombie horror comedy film that was released in 1988. It was written and directed by Ken Wiederhorn. The film was released by Lorimar Motion Pictures on January 8, 1988, and was a minor box office success, making over $9 million at the box office in...
He resides in Hollywood with his wife, former Broadway musical actress Laurie Franks.
Bruns wrote a book, "The Character Actor's Do's, Don'ts And Anecdotes," which was published in early November, 2008. Academy Award-nominated actor, Peter O'Toole
Peter O'Toole
Peter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole is an Irish actor of stage and screen. O'Toole achieved stardom in 1962 playing T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, and then went on to become a highly-honoured film and stage actor. He has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, and holds the record for most...
wrote the foreword to Bruns' book.