Back in Time Today
The 12th Precinct of ‘Barney Miller’ brought laughter to millions from 1975 to 1982, creating characters that felt like family to viewers across America. This beloved sitcom showcased the daily lives of quirky New York City police detectives with humor and heart. Sadly, over the years, several cast members who brought these iconic characters to life have passed away, leaving behind their memorable performances and a lasting legacy in television history.
Abe Vigoda: The Lovably Cranky Detective Fish
Eternally tired and perpetually complaining, Abe Vigoda’s Detective Phil Fish became one of television’s most endearing characters. His hunched posture and deadpan delivery of lines about his failing health and bladder problems created comedy gold.
Vigoda’s performance was so convincing that many viewers believed he was actually elderly during filming, though he was only in his mid-50s when the show began. After leaving the main cast for his own spin-off series, “Fish,” he continued making guest appearances.
Vigoda passed away on January 26, 2016, at the impressive age of 94, decades after several erroneous reports of his death that became a running joke throughout his later career.
Ron Glass: The Sophisticated Detective Harris
Smooth, intellectual, and impeccably dressed, Ron Glass brought Detective Ron Harris to life with undeniable charm. His character stood out as an ambitious writer working on his novel while solving cases, always maintaining his cool demeanor amid the precinct’s chaos.
Glass portrayed Harris with a perfect balance of sophistication and humor. His exchanges with Detective Dietrich showcased some of the show’s wittiest dialogue, highlighting his character’s intellectual aspirations and occasional vanity.
Following his Barney Miller success, Glass earned new generations of fans as Shepherd Book in the cult sci-fi series Firefly. He died on November 25, 2016, at age 71, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking roles for African American actors on television.
Steve Landesberg: The Brilliant Detective Dietrich
Master of the deadpan response, Steve Landesberg’s Detective Arthur Dietrich brought intellectual humor to the 12th Precinct. His character seemingly knew everything about any subject, delivering obscure facts with perfect timing that often left his colleagues bewildered.
Landesberg joined the cast in the second season, replacing Gregory Sierra, and quickly became a fan favorite. His dry wit and encyclopedic knowledge created the perfect comedic foil for the more emotional characters in the precinct.
Before his television career, Landesberg honed his skills as a stand-up comedian, which helped him perfect Dietrich’s impeccable timing. He passed away from colon cancer on December 20, 2010, at age 74, remembered for creating one of television’s most uniquely intelligent characters.
Jack Soo: The Unforgettable Nick Yemana
Coffee so bad it became legendary – that was just one memorable trait of Jack Soo’s Detective Nick Yemana. His dry humor, terrible coffee-making skills, and penchant for gambling made him an instant fan favorite from the show’s beginning.
Born Goro Suzuki, Soo brought subtle depth to his character, occasionally referencing his Japanese American heritage through humor. His chemistry with the ensemble cast created some of the show’s most memorable moments, particularly his poker games and deadpan one-liners.
Tragically, Soo was the first cast member to pass away, dying from cancer on January 11, 1979, at age 61 while the show was still in production. The cast paid tribute to him in a special fourth-wall-breaking episode, raising coffee cups in his honor.
Gregory Sierra: The Passionate Detective Chano
“Madre de Dios!” became a catchphrase thanks to Gregory Sierra’s explosive portrayal of Detective Sergeant Miguel “Chano” Amanguale. His character brought fiery Puerto Rican passion to the 12th Precinct during the first two seasons of the show.
Sierra’s Chano was known for his emotional outbursts in Spanish when cases became intense, creating a perfect contrast to the more reserved detectives. His performance in an episode where Chano deals with shooting two armed robbers showcased his impressive dramatic range.
After leaving Barney Miller, Sierra appeared in numerous TV shows including Hill Street Blues and Miami Vice. He died on January 4, 2021, at age 83 from cancer, one of the more recent losses from the beloved cast that continues to bring joy through reruns.
Ron Carey: The Ambitious Officer Levitt
Small in stature but enormous in determination, Ron Carey’s Officer Carl Levitt brought persistent ambition to the 12th Precinct. Standing at just 5’4″, Carey used his physical comedy skills to highlight Levitt’s constant struggle to be taken seriously and earn his detective shield.
Levitt’s formal addresses to Captain Miller as “Sir” and his eagerness to please created both laughs and occasional moments of sympathy. His character grew throughout the series, eventually achieving his dream of becoming a detective in the final episode.
Before Barney Miller, Carey made his mark in Mel Brooks films including Silent Movie and High Anxiety. He passed away from a stroke on January 16, 2007, at age 71, remembered for creating one of TV’s most endearingly persistent characters who finally achieved his dream.
Florence Stanley: The Unforgettable Bernice Fish
Though not part of the precinct squad, Florence Stanley’s Bernice Fish became an essential part of the Barney Miller universe. As Detective Fish’s long-suffering wife, she matched her husband’s complaints with razor-sharp wit that often left him speechless.
Stanley brought depth to what could have been a simple supporting role, creating a character whose relationship with Fish felt authentically lived-in. Their bickering yet devoted marriage provided some of the show’s most relatable moments of domestic comedy.
When Abe Vigoda’s Fish character received a spin-off show, Stanley continued her role as Bernice. Beyond Barney Miller, she voiced characters in Disney’s Atlantis and appeared in My Two Dads. She passed away on October 3, 2003, at age 79 from complications after a stroke.
James Gregory: The Memorable Inspector Luger
“In my day…” typically started another of Inspector Frank Luger’s rambling stories about the good old days of policing. James Gregory’s recurring role as Captain Miller’s superior officer created a perfect comedic contrast to the more progressive 12th Precinct team.
Luger represented the old guard of policing, constantly reminiscing about his former partners “Brownie” Brown and “Yemana” Foster. Gregory’s brilliant portrayal made even Luger’s most politically incorrect moments somehow endearing, as viewers recognized him as a relic from another era.
Before Barney Miller, Gregory had a distinguished film career including The Manchurian Candidate. He passed away on September 16, 2002, at age 90, having created one of television’s most memorable recurring characters whose outdated views provided perfect comedic friction.