Maury Alan Chaykin (July 27, 1949 – July 27, 2010) was an American–Canadian actor, best known for his portrayal of detective

Nero Wolfe Nero Wolfe is a brilliant, obese and eccentric fictional armchair detective created in 1934 by American mystery writer Rex Stout. Wolfe was born in Montenegro and keeps his past murky. He lives in a luxurious brownstone on West 35th Street in ...

, as well as for his work as a

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

in many films and television programs.

Personal life

Chaykin was born in

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

, New York. His father, Irving J. Chaykin (1912–2007), was born in Brooklyn, and was a professor of accountancy at

City College of New York The City College of the City University of New York (also known as the City College of New York, or simply City College or CCNY) is a public university within the City University of New York (CUNY) system in New York City. Founded in 1847, Cit ...

. His mother, Clarice Chaykin (

née A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...

Bloomfield, 1921–2012), was born in

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749 ...

, Manitoba, but raised in

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...

, Quebec, since the age of three. She graduated from Beth Israel Hospital nursing school in

Newark, New Jersey Newark ( , ) is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, most populous City (New Jersey), city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat, seat of Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County and the second largest city within the New Yo ...

. Chaykin's maternal uncle, George Bloomfield (1930–2011), was a veteran Canadian director, producer, writer and actor who directed Chaykin in a number of projects for film and television. Raised in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

, Chaykin studied drama at the

University at Buffalo, The State University of New York The State University of New York at Buffalo, commonly called the University at Buffalo (UB) and sometimes called SUNY Buffalo, is a public research university with campuses in Buffalo and Amherst, New York. The university was founded in 1846 ...

. He subsequently moved to

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, where he resided until his death. Chaykin's first marriage, to Canadian producer Ilana Frank, ended in divorce. He was subsequently married to Canadian actress Susannah Hoffmann, with whom he had one daughter, Rose. Best known for having played Jen Pringle in the ''

Anne of Avonlea Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie. Anne is sometimes used as a male name in t ...

'' series, Hoffmann had a supporting role in a 2002 episode of the television series ''

A Nero Wolfe Mystery ''Nero Wolfe'' is a television series adapted from Rex Stout's series of detective stories that aired for two seasons (2001–2002) on A&E. Set in New York City sometime in the 1940s–1950s, the stylized period drama stars Maury Chaykin as Ne ...

'', in which Chaykin starred. Chaykin was a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.

Career

Chaykin was known for portrayals of blustery supporting characters. One of his rare leading roles was

. Chaykin first played the legendary detective in '' The Golden Spiders: A Nero Wolfe Mystery'' (2000), an A&E telefilm adaptation of the 1953 novel by

Rex Stout Rex Todhunter Stout (; December 1, 1886 – October 27, 1975) was an American writer noted for his detective fiction. His best-known characters are the detective Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie Goodwin, who were featured in 33 novels and ...

Timothy Hutton Timothy Tarquin Hutton (born August 16, 1960) is an American actor and film director. He is the youngest recipient of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, which he won at age 20 for his performance as Conrad Jarrett in ''Ordinary People ...

costarred in the production as Archie Goodwin. ''The New York Times'' reported Chaykin's "undisguised delight" at starring in the promotion for ''The Golden Spiders'': "There's an extraordinary billboard up on

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a boulevard in the central and western part of Los Angeles, California, that stretches from the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades east to Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It is a major thoroughfare in ...

right now, with a humongous photograph of my face. ... I drive by it constantly, back and forth, back and forth." The original movie's success led to the weekly series, ''

'', which played for two seasons on A&E and continues to air internationally. Chaykin and Hutton had worked together previously, albeit briefly, in the 1985 film '' Turk 182''; and they worked together subsequently, in the 2006 film ''

Heavens Fall ''Heavens Fall'' is a 2006 American film based on the Scottsboro Boys incident of 1931. Plot In the film, two young white women (portrayed by Leelee Sobieski and Azura Skye) accuse nine black youths of rape in the segregated South. Timothy H ...

''. Two of Chaykin's early motion picture roles brought him public recognition: computer programmer Jim Sting in ''

WarGames ''WarGames'' is a 1983 American science fiction techno-thriller film written by Lawrence Lasker and Walter F. Parkes and directed by John Badham. The film, which stars Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, John Wood, and Ally Sheedy, follow ...

'' and prosecution witness Sam Tipton in ''

My Cousin Vinny ''My Cousin Vinny'' is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, and written by Dale Launer, who also produced with Paul Schiff. The film stars Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill ...

''. In 1990, he had a small but pivotal role in the film ''

Dances with Wolves ''Dances with Wolves'' is a 1990 American epic western film starring, directed, and produced by Kevin Costner in his feature directorial debut. It is a film adaptation of the 1988 novel '' Dances with Wolves'' by Michael Blake that tells the ...

'', portraying Major Fambrough, an Army fort commander who kills himself as a result of becoming insane. Chaykin had his first starring role in ''

Whale Music ''Whale music'' is a term for whale sound. It may also refer to: *'' Whale Music'', a 1989 novel by Paul Quarrington * ''Whale Music'' (film), a 1994 Canadian film based on the Quarrington novel **'' Music from the Motion Picture Whale Music'', the ...

'', a 1994 film in which he played a burned-out rock star, a character based largely on

Brian Wilson Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often Brian Wilson is a genius, called a genius for his novel approaches to pop music, pop composition, ex ...

. Chaykin was named

Best Actor Best Actor is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actors in a film, television series, television film or play. The term most often refers to the ...

at the

15th Genie Awards The 15th Genie Awards were held in 1994. Nominees and winners The Genie Award nominees, with winners in each category shown in bold text: References External links Genie Awards 1994 on imdb {{Canadian Screen Awards 15 Genie Genie J ...

for his portrayal. Chaykin also had roles on the television series '' Seeing Things'' and ''

Emily of New Moon ''Emily of New Moon'' is the first in a series of novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery about an orphan girl growing up on Prince Edward Island. Montgomery is also the author of ''Anne of Green Gables'' series. It was first published in 1923. Plot sum ...

'' as well as a recurring role as the intergalactic gourmand Nerus (a nod to Nero Wolfe) in ''

Stargate SG-1 ''Stargate SG-1'' (often stylized in all caps, or abbreviated ''SG-1'') is a military science fiction adventure television series within Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's ''Stargate'' franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, ...

''. Chaykin portrayed the colorful bookie Frank Perlin opposite

Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman (July 23, 1967 – February 2, 2014) was an American actor. Known for his distinctive supporting and character roles—typically lowlifes, eccentrics, underdogs, and misfits—he acted in many films and theatrical produc ...

compulsive gambler Problem gambling or ludomania is repetitive gambling behavior despite harm and negative consequences. Problem gambling may be diagnosed as a mental disorder according to ''DSM-5'' if certain diagnostic criteria are met. Pathological gambling is ...

Dan Mahowny in ''

Owning Mahowny ''Owning Mahowny'' is a 2003 Canadian film about gambling addiction with a cast that includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Maury Chaykin and John Hurt. Based on the true story of a Toronto bank employee who embezzled more than $10 mil ...

'', a film that critic

Roger Ebert Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, film historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. He was a film critic for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, Ebert beca ...

named as one of the ten best of 2003. In 2006, Chaykin appeared in an episode of the

Ken Finkleman Ken Finkleman (born 1946) is a Canadian television and film writer and producer, actor, and novelist. Biography Finkleman was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In Canada, Finkleman is best known as the writer, creator and producer of the CBC Televisi ...

miniseries ''

At the Hotel ''At the Hotel'' is a Canadian drama-comedy-musical mini-series concerning the goings-on at an illustrious Montreal hotel, known for its favourable treatment of struggling artists. Created by Ken Finkleman and produced by One Hundred Percent Tele ...

'' and received a

Gemini Award The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in the United States ...

for best performance by an actor in a guest role. He had a semi-recurring role in the HBO series ''

Entourage An entourage () is an informal group or band of people who are closely associated with a (usually) famous, notorious, or otherwise notable individual. The word can also refer to: Arts and entertainment * L'entourage, French hip hop / rap collecti ...

'', as volatile movie producer Harvey Weingard, a send-up of the disgraced producer

Harvey Weinstein Harvey Weinstein (; born March 19, 1952) is an American former film producer and convicted sex offender. He and his brother, Bob Weinstein, co-founded the entertainment company Miramax, which produced several successful independent films includ ...

. He also appeared as Stan Deane, father of

Kevin Zegers Kevin () is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name (; mga, Caoimhghín ; sga, Cóemgein ; Latinized as ). It is composed of "dear; noble"; Old Irish and ("birth"; Old Irish ). The variant '' Kevan'' is anglicized from , a ...

' character Woody Deane, in the 2006 romantic comedy ''

It's a Boy Girl Thing ''It's a Boy Girl Thing'' is a 2006 romantic comedy film directed by Nick Hurran and written by Geoff Deane, starring Kevin Zegers and Samaire Armstrong and set in the United States but produced in the United Kingdom. The producers of the film ...

''. Chaykin starred as Sam Blecher, the owner of a family-run driving school in Winnipeg, in the first two seasons (2008–2010) of the Canadian comedy-drama television series ''

Less Than Kind ''Less Than Kind'' is a 2008–2013 Canadian television comedy-drama series that stars Jesse Camacho as Sheldon Blecher, a teenager growing up in a loving but dysfunctional Jewish family in Winnipeg. The show's cast also includes Maury Chaykin ...

''. The series received the 2010 Gemini Award for Best Comedy Program or Series. "Sam is an out-of-control, good-hearted, big-hearted person who just can't quite get it right with his family," Chaykin told '' Q'' radio interviewer Jian Ghomeshi in April 2010. "He's full of love but he can't express it. But what he does express is anxiety, desperation, and the need to dominate, which is kind of pathetic." Asked whether he liked the character, Chaykin replied, "I ''love'' him. I do, I really do, and it's the same kind of love that a person has for family — where you see their foibles but at the same time you embrace them because they are a part of you. And Sam certainly is a part of me." In 2011 Chaykin posthumously received the

ACTRA The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) is a Canadian trade union representing performers in English-language media. It has 25,000 members working in film, television, radio, and all other recorded media. The orga ...

Toronto Award for Outstanding Performance — Male for his performance as Sam Blecher in ''Less Than Kind''. He had been nominated for the award in 2003, for his portrayal of Nero Wolfe.

Death

Maury Chaykin died in Toronto on July 27, 2010, his 61st birthday, from complications of a heart valve infection.

Works

Theatre

Select theatre credits for Maury Chaykin were part of his resumé at Edna Talent Management, Ltd.

Filmography

Awards

*1986, Nominee,

'' Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks''
Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Single Dramatic Program

Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is a Canadian non-profit organization created in 1979 to recognize the achievements of the over 4,000 Canadian cinema of Canada, film industry and television in Canada, television industry professionals ...

*1989, Nominee,

Genie Award The Genie Awards were given out annually by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to recognize the best of Canadian cinema from 1980–2012. They succeeded the Canadian Film Awards (1949–1978; also known as the "Etrog Awards," for sc ...

'' Iron Eagle II''
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

*1990, Nominee,

''Cold Comfort''
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

*1994, Winner,

''
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

*1997, Winner, National Board of Review Award
'' The Sweet Hereafter''
Best Acting by an Ensemble

National Board of Review of Motion Pictures The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures is a non-profit organization of New York City area film enthusiasts. Its awards, which are announced in early December, are considered an early harbinger of the film awards season that culminat ...

*1998, Winner,

'' La Femme Nikita'' (episode "Innocent")
Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series

*1998, Nominee,

'' (episode "Paradise Lost")
Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series

*2003, Nominee,

Toronto Award
''

''
Outstanding Performance – Male

Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) is a Canadian trade union representing performers in English-language media. It has 25,000 members working in film, television, radio, and all other recorded media. The orga ...

*2006, Winner,

'' (episode "The Perfect Couple")
Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series

*2009, Winner,

Canadian Comedy Award The Canadian Comedy Awards (CCA) is an annual ceremony that awards the Beaver for achievements in Canadian comedy in live performance, radio, film, television, and Internet media. The awards were founded and produced by Tim Progosh in 2000. T ...

''
Best Performance by an Ensemble – Television
The Canadian Comedy Foundation for Excellence *2010, Winner,

''
Best Performance by an Ensemble – Television
The Canadian Comedy Foundation for Excellence *2011, Winner,

Toronto Award
''

''
Outstanding Performance – Male

The 9th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto — 2011 Nominees Announced
(January 12, 2011); retrieved 1-14-11
"ACTRA honours Chaykin and Wright with posthumous awards"
''The Globe and Mail'', retrieved 2-26-11

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Chaykin, Maury 1949 births 2010 deaths Canadian people of American-Jewish descent American Ashkenazi Jews Canadian Ashkenazi Jews Male actors from New York City Male actors from Toronto American male film actors Jewish American male actors American emigrants to Canada American male television actors American male voice actors Canadian male film actors Jewish Canadian male actors Canadian male television actors Canadian male voice actors Deaths from kidney failure People from Brooklyn University at Buffalo alumni Nero Wolfe Best Actor Genie and Canadian Screen Award winners Canadian Comedy Award winners