Hollywood Mourns: 'Scarface' and 'Ozark' Star Harris Yulin Dies at 87—Just Days Before New Project With Kevin Kline

 Hollywood Mourns: 'Scarface' and 'Ozark' Star Harris Yulin Dies at 87—Just Days Before New Project With Kevin Kline

Hollywood Legend Harris Yulin Dies at 87—Just Days Before Filming His Next Big Role

Hollywood has lost another titan.

Beloved actor Harris Yulin, a commanding presence in both television and film for over six decades, has tragically passed away at the age of 87. The Scarface and Ozark star died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday, June 10, in New York City. His death comes just as he was about to step back into the spotlight in a new star-studded series alongside Kevin Kline and Laura Linney.

Yes, he was gearing up for another bold role—proving that even in his late 80s, Yulin still had plenty of fire left.

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A Career That Defined Hollywood Grit

Yulin was not just any character actor—he was the character actor. His icy, authoritative roles in cult classics like Scarface (1983), Ghostbusters II (1989), and Looking for Richard (1996) made him a recognizable face to generations of moviegoers.

On TV, he earned a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1996 for his guest appearance in Frasier, and much later, joined the cast of Ozark, where he earned a Screen Actors Guild nomination in 2019. His career was a masterclass in longevity, stretching from the gritty crime thrillers of the ’70s to the buzzy streaming hits of the 2020s.

Fans also caught him in Veep, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and And Just Like That…, proving his talents were as versatile as they were enduring.

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“He Went Out Swinging”: Yulin’s Final Role That Never Was

In an emotional statement, Yulin’s family revealed the actor was actively prepping for a brand-new MGM+ series titled American Classic, directed by Michael Hoffman and co-starring Kevin Kline, Laura Linney, and Jon Tenney.

“Harris was delighted to be working on this with Michael Hoffman,” the family said, adding that Hoffman had previously directed him in the 2005 indie film Game 6. “And he went out swinging.”

Imagine that—at nearly 90, Yulin was ready to steal the show again.

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A Private Life, A Passion for Acting—and the Sea

While Yulin’s resume reads like a Hollywood Hall of Fame, his personal life was equally full of depth.

He was an “avid birder and lover of the sea,” his family noted. That serene, nature-loving side of him offered a striking contrast to the stern, often morally grey characters he portrayed onscreen.

Tragically, Yulin was predeceased by his daughter, actress Claire Lucido. He is survived by his second wife Kristen Lowman, his son-in-law Ted Mineo, nephew Martin Crane, and godchildren Marco and Lara Greenberg.

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A Bittersweet Love Story: The Faye Dunaway Connection

And here’s where the gossip mill churns—Harris Yulin wasn’t just a Hollywood heavyweight; he had the heartthrob credentials, too.

The actor was famously romantically linked to the iconic Faye Dunaway, his co-star in the 1971 Western Doc, where he played legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. Though their relationship didn’t last, it remains a delicious footnote in Hollywood love lore.

Yulin was also previously married to actress Gwen Welles until her death in 1993. Welles, best known for her role in Nashville (1975), shared a deep and artistic bond with Yulin that friends say never truly faded, even after her passing.

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A Generation’s Actor—Loved, Feared, and Respected

“Harris was part of the vanguard of a generation who cared passionately about the craft of acting,” his family’s statement read. “This deep, lifelong dedication led to extraordinary, resonant performances that were a gift to audiences, the actors he worked with, and the art of acting itself.”

Colleagues, fans, and fellow actors have poured tributes onto social media, praising Yulin’s “commanding presence,” “devastating talent,” and “unapologetic commitment to the truth of every scene.”

Even in an industry where faces come and go, Harris Yulin’s performances lingered—they stuck with you.

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What’s Next: A Memorial, A Legacy, and One Final Goodbye

While no public memorial date has been set, the family confirmed one will be held in the near future. Expect an emotional gathering of stage and screen legends to honor the man who never gave less than everything to his craft.

Though Harris Yulin may not have lived to see the premiere of American Classic, it’s clear he died doing what he loved—immersed in performance, always working, forever crafting.

From the mafia corridors of Scarface to the murky moral worlds of Ozark, Harris Yulin didn’t just play characters—he inhabited them. And now, with his passing, Hollywood has lost one of its true masters.

Rest in power, Harris. You really did go out swinging.