Harris Yulin, a celebrated actor whose unforgettable presence lit up both the stage and screen, has died at the age of 87.
His manager, Sue Leibman, confirmed that the veteran performer passed away on June 10 in New York City due to cardiac arrest.Known to many as the fiery judge in Ghostbusters II — whose temper famously set off a courtroom full of supernatural chaos — Yulin’s prolific career stretched across decades, genres, and platforms. From blockbusters like Scarface, Clear and Present Danger, and Training Day, to a memorable Emmy-nominated role on Frasier in 1996, he left an indelible mark on Hollywood.
And it wasn’t just film and TV that bore the weight of his talent.
A force in theater, Los Angeles native Harris Yulin played Hamlet three times off-Broadway and starred in acclaimed productions such as Hedda Gabler, The Price, and The Visit. He also gave back to the craft, teaching for eight years at New York City’s prestigious Juilliard School.
”One of the greatest artists’”
Yulin had recently been gearing up for a new TV project called American Classic, alongside Laura Linney and Kevin Kline. The show’s director, Michael Hoffman, spoke from the heart about the actor’s legacy.
“Very simply one of the greatest artists I have ever encountered,” Hoffman said in a statement, according to CNN.
“And what he was as an actor, he was as a man—the grace, the humility, the generosity. All of us at American Classic have been blessed by our experience with him.”
Longtime collaborator Stacy Keach, who appeared with Yulin in the 1971 western DOC, had reportedly been working with him on upcoming projects up until his death.
Fans of the Netflix hit Ozark will also remember Yulin for his powerful arc opposite Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. And his wide-ranging TV appearances over the years included Veep, Billions, Divorce, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and And Just Like That…
Despite his long career, many will always come back to that unforgettable scene in Ghostbusters II, where his furious courtroom rant unleashes a torrent of ghostly chaos — cementing his place in pop culture history.
Harris Yulin, who dated Faye Dunaway from 1971 to 1972, is survived by his wife, actress Kristen Lowman, as well as a son-in-law, a nephew, and several godchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, actress Claire Lucido.