Charles Levin

Charles Herbert Levin (March 12, 1949 – c. June 28, 2019) was an American actor born in Chicago, Illinois, whose career spanned television, film, and stage. He is perhaps best known to television audiences for two recurring roles: Eddie Gregg on Hill Street Blues, a part he held from 1982 to 1986, and Elliot Novak on the sitcom Alice, in which he became a series regular during the show's ninth season. Levin also appeared in the pilot episode of The Golden Girls as Coco, a gay cook, though the character was written out when Sophia Petrillo's role, played by Estelle Getty, was elevated from recurring to main cast. He later played the mohel in the Seinfeld episode "The Bris."

Levin's television work extended across a wide range of series, including Capital News, where he portrayed Vinnie DiSalvo; Falcon Crest, in which he appeared as Arthur Haberman; Punky Brewster, as Officer Bob; and L.A. Law, where he played Robert Caporale. He also made appearances on Family Ties, Tales from the Darkside, The Twilight Zone, The Facts of Life, Thirtysomething, Night Court, Designing Women, Murphy Brown, NYPD Blue, and Law & Order.

His film credits include Annie Hall (1977), Manhattan (1979), This Is Spinal Tap (1984), and A Civil Action (1998), which marked his final film role. On Broadway, Levin appeared in two productions between 1989 and 1991: City of Angels and One Night Stand.

Levin married Katherine DeHetre in 1983, and together they had three children. He was Jewish. In his later years he lived in Grants Pass, Oregon. On July 8, 2019, his son reported him missing to police, noting he had last been heard from on approximately June 28. His car was discovered on July 12 on a remote road northeast of Selma, Oregon, with his dog's body found inside. Levin's own remains were located the following day. Authorities confirmed on November 8, 2019, that his death was accidental; after his car became stuck on an unmaintained wilderness road, he apparently left the vehicle seeking help and fell to his death down a thirty-foot embankment. He was 70 years old.