# Jack Somack

Jack Somack (September 14, 1918 – August 24, 1983) was an American chemical engineer, and actor. He is best remembered for his appearance in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" television commercial.

## Life and career

Somack was born in Chicago, Illinois. He began his acting career in 1966, playing the lead role of Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge.
In 1969 Somack appeared in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" commercial. He also appeared in the Broadway plays Paris Is Out! and The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
In the 1970s and 1980s Somack appeared and guest-starred in film and television programs including Barney Miller, The Rockford Files, Portnoy's Complaint, Sanford and Son, All in the Family, The Love Boat, Desperate Characters, Laverne & Shirley, The Frisco Kid, Eight Is Enough, The Pursuit of Happiness, Starsky & Hutch, Hero at Large, Kojak, The Main Event, The Jimmy Stewart Show, The Blue Knight and Family Ties. He also starred in the short-lived television series Ball Four and The Stockard Channing Show.

## Death

Somack died August 24, 1983, of a heart attack at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, at the age of 64. He had been rehearsing for a role in the television series Benson.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1968 | A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer | Trainer | TV movie |
| 1969 | Generation | Airline Policeman | |
| 1970 | London Affair | N.Y. Landlord -Loser!! | |
| 1971 | The Pursuit of Happiness | Judge Palumbo | |
| 1971 | Desperate Characters | Leon | |
| 1972 | Heat of Anger | Mr. Stoller | TV movie |
| 1972 | Portnoy's Complaint | Jack Portnoy | |
| 1975 | Blood Bath | Ralph Lambert | |
| 1979 | The Main Event | Murry | |
| 1979 | The Frisco Kid | Samuel Bender | |
| 1979 | The Little Rascals' Christmas Special | Santa (voice) | TV movie |
| 1980 | Hero at Large | Waiter | |
| 1980 | Carlton Your Doorman | Charles Shaftman (voice) | TV movie |
| 1983 | The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair | The Tailor | TV movie |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1967 | Love Is a Many Splendored Thing | Amos Crump | unknown episodes |
| 1969 | N.Y.P.D. | Jerry Jameson | 1 episode |
| 1971 | The Partners | Mr. Kellner | 1 episode |
| 1972–1976 | All in the Family | Tony Vicino/Tiny Stillberforce | 2 episodes |
| 1972 | The Jimmy Stewart Show | Coach Wylie | 1 episode |
| 1975–1980 | Barney Miller | Mr. Cotterman | 6 episodes |
| 1975 | Sanford and Son | Gabey | 1 episode |
| 1975–1978 | Kojak | Muttel/Charlie Gerson | 2 episodes |
| 1976 | The Rockford Files | Oliver Prey | 1 episode |
| 1976 | The Blue Knight | Mort Kalish | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Popi | Mr. Goldman | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Ball Four | 'Cap' Capogrosso | 5 episodes |
| 1977 | Man from Atlantis | Encyclopedia Salesman | 1 episode |
| 1977 | The Jeffersons | Papa Panelli | 1 episode |
| 1978 | Starsky & Hutch | Detective Peterson | 1 episode |
| 1978 | Eight Is Enough | | 1 episode |
| 1978 | Laverne & Shirley | Officer Newman | 1 episode |
| 1979 | Salvage 1 | Burton | 1 episode |
| 1979 | Stockard Channing in Just Friends | Marty | 1 episode |
| 1980 | The Stockard Channing Show | Mr. Kramer | 7 episodes |
| 1980 | The Love Boat | Buzz Plesser | 1 episode |
| 1982 | Family Ties | Mr. Adler | 1 episode |
| 1982 | Gloria | Mr. Rosenbloom | 1 episode |