Vic Tayback

Victor Tayback (January 6, 1930 – May 25, 1990) was an American actor, known for his role as diner owner Mel Sharples in both the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) and its television adaptation, Alice, which ran from 1976 to 1985. 2Life and career Tayback was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the son of Helen (née Hanood) and Najeeb James Tayback. His parents were immigrants from Aleppo, Syria. Tayback moved with his family to Burbank, California, during his teenage years and attended Burbank High School. He ended up living in the area for the rest of his life, eventually moving to nearby Glendale, California, where he resided until his death. A lifetime member of the Actors Studio, Tayback was a familiar face on television in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on numerous series as a character actor. Two notable appearances were in the "Et tu, Archie?" fourth-season episode of All in the Family as Archie's old friend, Joe Tucker, and as the 1920s-style gangster-boss Jojo Krako in the Star Trek episode "A Piece of the Action". Tayback's most famous role was diner owner Mel Sharples in both the movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) and the television series, Alice, which ran from 1976 to 1985. He was the only actor in the original film to reprise his role in the series. 2Filmography 2Star Alice as Mel Sharples Griff as Captain Barney Marcu