Jack Kehler, the Dude's dancing landlord in The Big Lebowski, dies at 75

Jack Kehler, a veteran character actor whose career spanned a litany of movies and TV shows, died Saturday of complications due to Leukemia at a Los Angeles hospital, his son, Eddie Kehler, told EW. He was 75.

Kehler, who was probably best known for his portrayal of the Dude's landlord in The Big Lebowski, had close to 200 acting credits to his name. He began acting on-screen in the 1980s and featured in films and movies up until his death. He recurred as Harlan-Wyndam Matson on Amazon's The Man in the High Castle, as well playing Frank Szymanksi on both Murder One and its follow-up mini-series Murder One: Diary of a Serial Killer. Other recurring roles included appearances on ABC sitcom I'm With Her and 1986 miniseries Fresno. His final projects included The Magicians, Love, Victor, and the still-in-production film The Platinum Loop.

Jack Kehler was born May 22, 1946 in Philadelphia. He took an interest in acting from a young age, studying with Sanford Meisner and Wynn Handman, and becoming a member of the legendary Actors Studio.

He made his screen debut in 1983's Strange Invaders as a gas station attendant, before going on to feature in dozens of films, including Point Break, Wyatt Earp, Waterworld, Lost Highway, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Lethal Weapon 4, Dudley Do-Right, Men In Black II, Fever Pitch, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Pineapple Express.

Kehler also worked frequently in television, guest starring on shows across the last four decades. His credits included Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, St. Elsewhere, Newhart, L.A. Law, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Wings, Diagnosis Murder, ER, The Practice, JAG, Judging Amy, 7th Heaven, NYPD Blue, 24, Joan of Arcadia, Monk, Cold Case, The Mentalist, Bones, Franklin and Bash, Mad Men, and NCIS: Los Angeles.

His most memorable role came in the Coen Brothers' The Big Lebowski, one of their distinctive characters who leaves a strong impression with only a brief amount of screen time. He portrayed Marty, the Dude's (Jeff Bridges) landlord, who nags the Dude about the rent and also has a hilarious bit performing in his dance recital.

Kehler is survived by wife Shawna Casey, son Eddie, daughter-in-law Mari-Anne, and grandson Liam.

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