You definitely know this guy. Even if you are unfamiliar with the name, you’ve seen his face countless times on television shows. He was the “recurring” priest on ‘Friends’, Milos the Janitor on ‘NewsRadio’, and Barney on ‘Married with Children’. He also appeared on most everything else – over 100 roles in all - ‘Frasier’, ‘The Jeffersons’, ‘Scrubs’, ‘Will & Grace’, ‘Seinfeld’, ‘Roseanne’, ‘Cheers’, ‘Jake in Progress’, etc. He was HUGE star in the lucrative “voice” industry, lending his vocal talents to such projects on ‘Monsters’ Inc.’, ‘Ping!’, ‘Osmosis Jones’, ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’, ‘Challenge of the GoBots’, ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’ and ‘The Tick’. His movies included ‘Witchhunt’, ‘Round Trip to Heaven’, ‘Sandman’, ‘In the Arms of a Killer’, and ‘Dog Gone Love’.

Horror fans know this guy for other reasons – isn’t that always the way! His big genre role was as Harold Hatcher (that pot smoking hippie guy and bunny loving shop owner) in ‘Friday the 13th Part 3: 3D’ in 1982. Though more of the same, Part 3 was also one of the “still chuggin’ along” horror series. It co-starred racksandrazors favorite Dana Kimmell as well as Tracie Savage, Paul Kratka, Catherine Parks, Jeffrey Rogers, Gloria Charles, and Rachel Howard.

Mr. Susskind was also Frank McGraw in ‘House’ (1986). That nightmares, horrid neighbors, and creatures from another dimension flick also starred William Katt, Richard Moll, genre goddess Kay Lenz, and George Wendt. Lastly, if you’re a Trekkie you may recall Steve Sussakind as the slimy pitchman who promoted the virtues of The Planet of Galactic Peace in the big screen ‘Star Trek V: The Final Frontier’.

Steve Susskind was born October 3rd 1942 in Springfield, Massachusetts and grew up in Forest Hills, NY where he attended high school. At age 15 Steve got his first taste of celebrity. Along with buddy Bob Minsky, he formed the 60s Doo Wop group ‘The Roomates’ who went on to appear on ‘American Bandstand’ (Dick Clark and dancing teens and all!) singing their big song ‘Glory of Love’. Other songs recorded by the group include ‘Band of Gold’ and their biggest hit ‘Please Love Me Forever’ with Cathy Jean. The group disbanded in 1964.

After that Steve attented NYU and worked in several different areas and businesses. He moved to Los Angeles in 1980 to follow his dream of becoming an actor. (There’s a huge life lesson here – life’s too short, so go for it!) Steve also served as an AFTRA National Board Member where he was extremely active, involved, and respected.

Steve Susskind was killed on Friday January 21, 2005 in an automobile accident in Sunland California. He was 62 years old. He leaves behind his wife Ann (whom he always referred to as his “lovely bride”), additional relatives, and so many whose lives he touched with his kindness and generous spirit. A memorial service was held to celebrate his life at the Director’s Guild Theatre in Los Angeles on March 8th, 2005.