Vic Tayback Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Death, Parents, Movies & TV Shows

Vic Tayback was an American actor whose name became closely linked to the kitchen of Mel’s Diner on the sitcom Alice.

He rose to prominence by playing Mel Sharples, the gruff yet oddly caring diner owner, first in the 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and then in the long-running television series Alice, which aired from 1976 to 1985.

His portrayal of Mel won him acclaim, including Golden Globe awards, and made him a memorable figure in television comedy of the 1970s and 80s.

Profile

• Full name: Victor Tayback
• Date of birth: January 6, 1930
• Age: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor
• Parents: Helen Tayback (née Hanood); Najeeb “James” Tayback
• Siblings: One brother, Joe; one sister, Emily
• Spouse: Sheila Maureen Barnard (married March 16, 1963)
• Children: Christopher Tayback (son)
• Relationship status: Married (to Sheila Maureen Barnard) until his death
• Ethnicity: Syrian descent (parents immigrated from Aleppo, Syria)
• Net worth: $1 million (at the time of his death)

Early Life and Education

Victor Tayback was born on January 6, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York.

His parents, Helen (née Hanood) and Najeeb James Tayback, had emigrated from Aleppo, Syria.

During his teenage years Vic moved with his family to Burbank, California. He attended Burbank High School, graduating in 1948.

After high school he enrolled at Glendale Community College, and also studied at the Frederick A. Speare School of Radio and TV Broadcasting.

Personal Life

Vic Tayback married Sheila Maureen Barnard in 1963. Their son, Christopher Tayback, was born during their marriage.

Vic Tayback remained married to Sheila until his death. He was known to be an enthusiast of horse racing and owned thoroughbreds.

Career

Vic Tayback served in the United States Navy prior to beginning his acting career.

He began acting professionally in the mid-1950s and over the ensuing decades appeared frequently as a guest actor on many television series including Star Trek, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Bonanza, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island among others.

In films he appeared in titles such as Bullitt (1968), Papillon (1973), The Gambler (1974), No Deposit, No Return (1976), The Cheap Detective (1978), All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) and many more.

His most renowned role was Mel Sharples: he first played Mel in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), and then took the same character into the lead-in television sitcom Alice from 1976 to 1985.

He was the only actor from the original film cast to continue playing Mel in the TV adaptation. He also co-founded the theatre group Company of Angels in Los Angeles.

During his later years on Alice, he underwent triple-bypass heart surgery in 1983, which caused him to miss episodes.

Awards

• 1978 Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (for Alice)
• 1980 Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor – Television Series (for Alice) Winner
• 1981 Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Winner
• 1982 Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated

Net worth

As of 1990, estimated net worth of Vic Tayback’s was around $1 million. Based on his decades of work in film, television, stage, and commercial appearances.

Death

Vic Tayback died of a heart attack on May 25, 1990, at Glendale Adventist Medical Center in Glendale, California. He was 60 years old.

He had a history of heart problems, and earlier had undergone triple-bypass surgery in 1983. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).

Social Media

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Filmography

• The Power of the Resurrection (1958)
• T-Bird Gang (1959)
• Gangster Story (1959)
• North to Alaska (1960)
• Five Minutes to Live (1961)
• With Six You Get Eggroll (1968)
• Bullitt (1968)
• Blood and Lace (1971)
• Emperor of the North Pole (1973)
• The Blue Knight (1973)
• The Don Is Dead (1973)
• Papillon (1973)
• Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)
• The Gambler (1974)
• Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
• Report to the Commissioner (1975)
• Lepke (1975)
• No Deposit, No Return (1976)
• The Big Bus (1976)
• Special Delivery (1976)
• Mansion of the Doomed (1976)