| Ralph Tabakin | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 22, 1921 San Antonio, Texas |
| Died | May 13, 2001 (aged 79) Silver Spring, Maryland |
| Spouse | Madolyn Doress (c. 1942 - 1996, her death) |
Ralph Tabakin (September 22, 1921 - May 13, 2001) was an American actor, engineer, and World War II veteran. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was the middle child in a family of five. They would also live in New Orleans, Louisiana, before moving and settling in Richmond, Virginia. In his acting career he is most associated with the work of Barry Levinson as he appeared in most of his films from Diner onward. Considered a lucky charm of Levinson, Tabakin had parts in fifteen of his movies, as well as a recurring role on Homicide: Life on the Street, a TV series produced by Levinson. His appearance on Diner began after a visit to the set where he impressed Levinson. He is perhaps best known for playing Dr. Scheiner on the television show Homicide: Life on the Street as the character was in episodes from the first to the seventh season, but was most common in the first four. As a veteran he received five Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars.[1]
He also worked as a Federal Aviation Administration engineer for several years.[2]