Biography
Fair-haired and often mustached character actor Seymour Cassel began making film and TV appearances as scruffy hippie types in the 1960s. He studied at the American Theatre Wing and the Actor's Studio before making his film debut in
John Cassavetes' first film,
Shadows (1959), for which he also served as associate producer. He then co-starred with Cassavetes in
Too Late Blues (1961) and
The Killers (1964). When Cassavetes turned to directing full-time, he utilized Cassel's talents as often as possible. The actor was Oscar-nominated for his portrayal of an aging hippie in
Faces (1968) and later played Moskowitz in
Minnie and Moskowitz (1971). A somewhat heavier Seymour Cassel continued as a character actor over the next few decades with roles in
Tin Men,
Colors, and the made-for-TV movie
Blood Feud. In the '90s, he played Sam Catchem in
Warren Beatty's
Dick Tracy, dog-sled adventurer Skunker in the Disney classic
White Fang, and a chauffeur in
Indecent Proposal. His role as the shyster Joe in the black comedy
In the Soup also earned special recognition at Sundance. Cassel then appeared in two romantic comedies with director
Andrew Bergman:
It Could Happen to You and
Honeymoon in Vegas. For the rest of the '90s, his career prospered with small, but memorable, roles in such independent comedies and dramas as
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead,
Trees Lounge, and
Dream for an Insomniac. During this period, he developed a rapport with filmmaker
Wes Anderson, who cast him as Max Fisher's barber father in
Rushmore and Royal's friend Dusty in
The Royal Tenenbaums. Cassel occasionally makes appearances in screwball teen movies like
Stealing Harvard and the 2003 Farrelly brothers effort
Stuck on You. He also had a few choice roles in the family drama
The Sleepy Time Gal,
Nicolas Cage's directorial debut
Sonny, and the romantic comedy
Passionada. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide