Courtesy of Family
Floyd Levine, a character actor celebrated for his appearances in notable films such as Dog Day Afternoon, Night Shift, and works directed by his son, producer and director Brian Robbins, including Coach Carter and Norbit, has passed away at the age of 93.
Levine’s daughter-in-law, Tracy Robbins, shared the news of his passing on Instagram, stating that he died on Sunday. “He was surrounded by his beautiful family (and probably wishing someone would bring him a martini),” she wrote. “The best father-in-law, grandpa, and all-around jokester, Floyd loved Frank Sinatra, classic films, and making everyone laugh.”
Best known for his roles as Desk Sgt. Lubin on CBS’ Cagney & Lacey, Dr. Howard Stein on Fox’s Melrose Place, and Ned the Doorman on Nickelodeon’s Cousin Skeeter, a show co-created by his son, Levine’s career spanned decades and included numerous memorable performances.
Born in New York on February 23, 1932, Levine and his wife, Rochelle, raised their three children in Brooklyn’s Marine Park. He initially supported his acting career by driving a cab, eventually appearing in impactful roles as police officers in films such as Super Fly (1972), Death Wish (1974), and Dog Day Afternoon (1975).
Levine’s television credits featured guest spots on acclaimed series, including Kojak, Baretta, and Starsky & Hutch. His family relocated to Los Angeles in 1979. As Brian Robbins ventured into acting in the early 1980s, he adopted his father’s mother’s surname.
The father-son duo each made appearances in episodes of CBS’ Archie Bunker’s Place during the early ’80s. In 1989, Levine portrayed a judge on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class, which starred Robbins as Eric Mardian.
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Levine also featured in Nickelodeon’s Kenan & Kel, directed by his son, as well as playing an ice cream vendor in Good Burger (1995), which Robbins directed. He later appeared as a cab driver in Coach Carter (2005) and as a tailor in Norbit (2007), both produced by Robbins.
His filmography includes notable titles like Bloodbrothers (1978), Night Shift (1982), The Border (1982), Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988), and The Hangover (2009). Additionally, he acted in two movies overseen by Robbins, Meet Dave (2008) and A Thousand Words (2012).
Throughout his career, Levine made guest appearances on iconic shows such as Police Squad!, Charlie’s Angels, Hill Street Blues, Three’s Company, Arlis$$, Murder, She Wrote, and Mad About You, accumulating almost 100 credits on IMDb.
He is survived by his daughter Sheryl, a casting director; another son, Marc; and several grandchildren. His wife passed away in May 2022 at the age of 85. Brian Robbins recently departed from his role as chairman and CEO of Paramount Global, following its sale to Skydance Media.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at Hollywood Reporter.