James Karen
American actor (1923-2018) · United States · On the map · Actors · Died at 94
James Karen was an American character actor of Broadway, film and television. Karen is known for his roles in Poltergeist, The China Syndrome, Wall Street, The Return of the Living Dead, Invaders from Mars and The Pursuit of Happyness, but was perhaps best known as the signature pitchman for Pathmark, famously...
James Karen is read about 520 times a day, in 28 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 9 November 2026
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Something wrong?A life in dates
The Great Buster: A CelebrationFilm, 20182012
The Butterfly RoomFilm, Sales Clerk2010
Sympathy for DeliciousFilm, Father Rohn2006
Superman ReturnsFilm, Ben Hubbard2005
American Dad!Series, Larry Herman (voice)1999
Judging AmySeries, Dr. Irwin Garner
Any Given SundayFilm, 1999Christina's Advisor1997
JoyrideFilm, The Client / Mayor1995
JAGSeries, Senator Barrington
CongoFilm, 1995College President / Elliot's Boss1992
Melrose PlaceSeries, Judge Mike Thomas1991
The UnbornFilm, Dr. Richard Meyerling1989
CoachSeries, James Armstrong1988
Return of the Living Dead Part IIFilm, Ed1986
Hardbodies 2Film, Logan1984
Highway to HeavenSeries1981
DynastySeries, Avril Dawson1980
The Jazz SingerFilm, Barney Callahan1979
Knots LandingSeries, Max Craig1978
F.I.S.T.Film, Andrews1976
All the President's MenFilm, Hugh Sloan's Lawyer1974
The Rockford FilesSeries, John LaPointe1969
Hawaii Five-OSeries, Wingfield1965
FilmFilm, Passerby1923Born28 November 1923People around James
Oliver Stone Directed Wall Street and Any Given Sunday
Richard Herd Also in M*A*S*H, The China Syndrome and Dynasty
Bryan Singer Directed Superman Returns and Apt Pupil
Roger Corman Produced Piranha and The Unborn
Tobe Hooper Directed Poltergeist and Invaders from Mars
Frank Marshall Produced Poltergeist (1982)
Leslie H. Martinson Directed Dallas and The Powers of Matthew Star
Lawrence Dobkin Directed Dallas and The Waltons
Michael Douglas Produced The China Syndrome (1980)
Hal Holbrook Also in Capricorn One (1978)
John C. McGinley Also in Wall Street, Any Given Sunday and Nixon
Sean Stone Also in Wall Street, Any Given Sunday and Nixon
Dan O'Bannon Directed The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Michael Fairman Also in Mulholland Drive and Dynasty- Christopher Allport Also in M*A*S*H, Dynasty and Invaders from Mars
Basil Hoffman Also in M*A*S*H and Dynasty
Alan Fudge Also in M*A*S*H, Dynasty and Capricorn One
Allan Graf Also in Thirteen Days and Poltergeist
Clu Gulager Also in The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Thom Mathews Also in The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
John Philbin Also in The Return of the Living Dead and Girl
Steven Spielberg Produced Poltergeist (1982)
Will Smith Produced The Pursuit of Happyness (2007)
David Lynch Directed Mulholland Drive (2001)
James KarenPartners
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The Pursuit of Happyness 2006
Mulholland Drive 2001
All the President's Men 1976
Opening Night 1977
The Great Buster: A Celebration 2018
Filmography 40
188 credits on file
Television 24
Media & music
Photos 1
About this person
Karen is known for his roles in Poltergeist, The China Syndrome, Wall Street, The Return of the Living Dead, Invaders from Mars and The Pursuit of Happyness, but was perhaps best known as the signature pitchman for Pathmark, famously appearing in commercials for the now-defunct East Coast-based supermarket chain from the late 1970s to the early 1990s which earned his nickname "Mr. Pathmark".
