Familiar face often played authority figures such as the mayor in "Earthquake," a police chief in "Serpico," Jack Nicholson's father in "Prizzi's Honor" and Tom Hanks' grandfather in "You've Got Mail."

TV work includes "The Missiles of October," "Lucas Tanner" and Roseanne's father in her namesake show.

Bronx native made his Broadway debut in 1938 in "Medicine Show," and was in the original New York productions of "The Sound of Music," "Paint Your Wagon," "Come Back, Little Sheba" and others.

He nabbed a Tony and Drama Desk Award in 1987 for his role as the leftist grandfather in Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound."

High-profile thesps and others also remember him for his activism on racial justice and other social issues, and for his longtime friendships.

Born Emanuel Cohen, he began learning the acting craft in the Federal Theater Project and later studied with Stella Adler. He also attended City College of New York, where he became radicalized during the Depression. He served in the Army Air Forces during WWII. Afterward, he was one of the founding members of the Actors Studio.

His open defense of accused figures during the McCarthy era led to his being blacklisting, along with his wife, actress Sarah Cunningham. Both refused to answer questions before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Despite being blacklisted, he continued to get stage roles.

Then John Frankenheimer cast him in the 1966 science-fiction drama "Seconds," which opened up film roles for him.

He served on the boards of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television & Radio Artists and Actors' Equity and was a past prexy of Ensemble Studio Theater.

His wife died in 1986; he is survived by two children, a granddaughter and a brother.

A memorial service is being planned for the evening of Monday March 15 in L.A.