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{{realworld}}
 
{{realworld}}
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{{Sidebar actor|
[[Image:Cyrus_Redblock.jpg|thumb|... as [[Cyrus Redblock]]]]
 
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| Name = Lawrence Tierney
[[Image:Regent of Palamar.jpg|thumb|... as the [[Regent of Palamar]]]]
 
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| image = Cyrus Redblock.jpg
'''Lawrence Tierney''' {{born|15|March|1919|died|26|February|2002}} was an actor from [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]] who appeared on two of the ''[[Star Trek]]'' spin-offs. He first played [[Cyrus Redblock]] in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation|Next Generation]]'' episode "[[The Big Goodbye]]". Nearly a [[Earth measurements#decade|decade]] later, he played the [[Regent of Palamar]] in the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode "[[Business as Usual]]".
 
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| imagecap = ... as Cyrus Redblock
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| Gender = Male
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| Date of birth = {{d|15|March|1919}}
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| Place of birth = Brooklyn, New York
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| Date of death = {{d|26|February|2002}} (age 82)
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| Place of death = Los Angeles, California
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| Characters = [[Cyrus Redblock]], [[Regent of Palamar]]
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| image2 = Regent of Palamar.jpg
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| imagecap2 = ... as the [[Regent of Palamar]]
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}}
 
'''Lawrence Tierney''' {{born|15|March|1919|died|26|February|2002}} was an actor who appeared in two of the ''[[Star Trek]]'' spin-offs. He first played [[Cyrus Redblock]] in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode {{e|The Big Goodbye}}. Nearly a decade later, he played the [[Regent of Palamar]] in the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode {{e|Business as Usual}}. Tierney is the uncle of [[Michael Tierney]].
   
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== Career ==
With his gruff, no-nonsense demeanor, Tierney is best known for playing "tough guy" roles throughout the 1940s, which was the primary reason he was given the role of "Cyrus Redblock" on TNG. The "tough guy" he is most well-known for playing is that of the title role of vicious gangster John Dillinger in the 1945 [[film]] ''Dillinger'', in which he co-starred with fellow TNG/DS9 guest star and fellow "tough guy" actor [[Marc Lawrence]]. He is also remembered for his performance as brutal killer Sam Wilde in 1947's ''Born to Kill'', directed by [[Robert Wise]]. Both of these films also feature [[TOS]] guest star [[Elisha Cook, Jr.]] in supporting roles. Tierney would again work with his ''Dillinger'' co-star Marc Lawrence in the 1967 [[western]] ''Custer of the West'', co-starring [[Jeffrey Hunter]].
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With his gruff, no-nonsense demeanor, Tierney is best known for playing "tough guy" roles throughout the 1940s, primarily mobsters and hardened criminals. He first acquired recognition for his portrayal of vicious gangster John Dillinger in the 1945 film ''Dillinger'', in which he co-starred with fellow TNG/DS9 guest star and fellow "tough guy" actor [[Marc Lawrence]]. He is also remembered for his performance as brutal killer Sam Wilde in 1947's ''Born to Kill'', directed by [[Robert Wise]]. Both of these films also featured [[TOS]] guest star [[Elisha Cook, Jr.]] in a supporting role. Tierney again worked with his ''Dillinger'' co-star Marc Lawrence in the 1967 Western ''Custer of the West'', which co-starred [[Jeffrey Hunter]].
   
Although he had starring roles between 1945 and 1950, the 1950s saw him reduced to playing supporting characters, which carried on through the decades, and as the [[Earth measurements#year|years]] went on, the parts seem to grow smaller. He did, however, have an occasional major role, as was the case with the 1987 film ''Tough Guys Don't Dance'', co-starring [[Clarence Williams III]]. He would also have a recurring role on the [[television]] series ''Hill Street Blues'', playing Sergeant Jenkins, as well as playing Elaine Benes' father in an early episode of ''Seinfeld''.
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Although Tierney had starring roles between 1945 and 1950, the 1950s saw him reduced to playing supporting characters, the result of several well-publicized off-screen brushes with the law. These altercations severely damaged Tierney's career, and as the years went on, his movie parts grew smaller. He did, however, have an occasional major role, as was the case with the 1987 film ''Tough Guys Don't Dance'', co-starring [[Clarence Williams III]]. He also had a recurring role on the television series ''Hill Street Blues'' from 1985 through 1987, on which he played Sergeant Jenkins and worked with series regular [[James B. Sikking]]. In addition, he played Elaine Benes' father in an early episode of ''Seinfeld'', the popular [[NBC]] series which starred [[Jason Alexander]].
   
In 1992, however, Tierney once again gained recognition from moviegoers for his portrayal of group leader Joe Cabot in Quentin Tarantino's [[cult]] film ''Reservoir Dogs''. As much as he was known for playing a "tough guy" on the big screen, however, he was known more so for actually being one in real life. Throughout his life, Tierney would often get into public altercations with others - including the [[law]]. These incidents often received ample media coverage. He would even instigate confrontations between fellow actors and other crewmembers.
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In 1992, Tierney once again gained recognition from moviegoers for his portrayal of group leader Joe Cabot in Quentin Tarantino's cult film ''Reservoir Dogs''. He subsequently had small roles in such films as the 1994 comedy ''Junior'' (which also featured [[Frank Langella]] and [[Alexander Enberg]]) and the 1998 sci-fi/action blockbuster *''Armageddon'' (which was co-written by [[J.J. Abrams]] and which also featured [[Anthony Guidera]], [[Marshall R. Teague]], [[Matt Malloy]], [[Andy Milder]], and [[Jim Fitzpatrick]]). In addition, he made guest appearances on such television series as ''Silk Stalkings'' (with [[Henry Darrow]] and [[Freda Foh Shen]]), ''L.A. Law'' (with [[Corbin Bernsen]], [[Larry Drake]], [[Samantha Eggar]], [[Harvey Jason]], and [[Tom Wright]]), and ''ER'' (with [[Lily Mariye]] and [[George Murdock]]). He also voiced Don Brodka in the "Marge Be Not Proud" episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''.
   
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== Personal life ==
Despite his tough-as-nails attitude, Tierney would [[Star Trek deaths|succumb to pneumonia]] in [[February]] of 2002 at the age of 83 in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].
 
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Tierney was [[Star Trek birthdays#March|born]] in Brooklyn, New York, on 15 March 1919. He was a track and field star at Brooklyn's Boys High School and earned an athletic scholarship to Manhattan College, but quit after two years to work as a laborer on the New York Aqueduct. He subsequently moved from job to job across the country until an acting coach convinced him to take on acting. Tierney joined the Black Friars Theatre group and later the American-Irish Theatre, where he was spotted by an RKO talent scout and given a film contract in 1943.
   
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As much as he was known for playing a "tough guy" on the big screen, Tierney was known more so for actually being one in real life. Throughout his life, Tierney often got into public altercations with others, including the law. Between 1944 and 1951, he was arrested a dozen times for brawling and drunkenness. These incidents often received ample media coverage, hindering his acting career. He returned to New York in the 1960s, where he did several odd jobs and found occasional film work. An admitted alcoholic, he quit drinking after suffering a stroke in 1982. He returned to Hollywood in 1983 and continued working in film as well as television.
== Other Trek connections ==
 
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Tierney would even instigate confrontations between fellow actors and other crew members. During the filming of {{e|The Big Goodbye}}, he menacingly insulted 15-year-old [[Wil Wheaton]] with his remarks. [http://www.aoltv.com/2007/07/11/star-trek-the-next-generation-the-big-goodbye/] While working on ''Seinfeld'', he scared the cast members by hiding a butcher knife from the set under his jacket and wielding it jokingly at series star {{w|Jerry Seinfeld}}. He was never invited back to the show. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04328/415976.stm] On the set of ''Reservoir Dogs'', the cast and crew found Tierney's antics both amusing and disturbing, and Tierney nearly got into fights with co-star {{w|Edward Bunker}} and writer-director {{w|Quentin Tarantino}}.
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Tierney's agent, Don Gerler, stated that he was bailing Tierney out of jail as late as 1994, when Tierney was 75. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/lawrence-tierney-729790.html] Tierney [[Star Trek deaths#March|succumbed to pneumonia]] in February of 2002 in Los Angeles, California. He was 82 years old.
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== Other ''Trek'' connections ==
 
Additional films in which Tierney appeared with other ''Star Trek'' performers include:
 
Additional films in which Tierney appeared with other ''Star Trek'' performers include:
  +
*''A Child Is Waiting'' (1963) with [[Bill Mumy]]
 
*''Such Good Friends'' (1971) with [[Laurence Luckinbill]]
 
*''Such Good Friends'' (1971) with [[Laurence Luckinbill]]
 
*''Prizzi's Honor'' (1985) with [[Joseph Ruskin]]
 
*''Prizzi's Honor'' (1985) with [[Joseph Ruskin]]
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*''Why Me?'' (1990) with [[Christopher Lloyd]] and [[Michael J. Pollard]]
 
*''Why Me?'' (1990) with [[Christopher Lloyd]] and [[Michael J. Pollard]]
 
*''City of Hope'' (1991) with [[Jude Ciccolella]]
 
*''City of Hope'' (1991) with [[Jude Ciccolella]]
*''Junior'' (1994) with [[Frank Langella]] and [[Alexander Enberg]]
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*''Wizards of the Demon Sword'' (1991) with [[Michael Berryman]]
 
*''2 Days in the Valley'' (1996) with [[Louise Fletcher]] and [[Teri Hatcher]]
 
*''2 Days in the Valley'' (1996) with [[Louise Fletcher]] and [[Teri Hatcher]]
*''Armageddon'' (1998) with [[Marshall R. Teague]], [[Matt Malloy]], [[Andy Milder]], and [[Jim Fitzpatrick]]
 
 
==External Links==
 
*{{IMDb-link|page=nm0862937}}
 
*{{Wikipedia|Lawrence Tierney}}
 
   
 
== External links ==
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* {{wikipedia}}
 
* {{IMDb-link|page=nm0862937}}
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[[de:Lawrence Tierney]]
 
[[es:Lawrence Tierney]]
   
 
[[Category:Performers|Tierney, Lawrence]]
 
[[Category:Performers|Tierney, Lawrence]]
 
[[Category:TNG performers|Tierney, Lawrence]]
 
[[Category:TNG performers|Tierney, Lawrence]]
 
[[Category:DS9 performers|Tierney, Lawrence]]
 
[[Category:DS9 performers|Tierney, Lawrence]]
 
[[de:Lawrence Tierney]]
 
[[es:Lawrence Tierney]]
 

Revision as of 01:13, 26 October 2014

Template:Realworld

Lawrence Tierney (15 March 191926 February 2002; age 82) was an actor who appeared in two of the Star Trek spin-offs. He first played Cyrus Redblock in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Big Goodbye". Nearly a decade later, he played the Regent of Palamar in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Business as Usual". Tierney is the uncle of Michael Tierney.

Career

With his gruff, no-nonsense demeanor, Tierney is best known for playing "tough guy" roles throughout the 1940s, primarily mobsters and hardened criminals. He first acquired recognition for his portrayal of vicious gangster John Dillinger in the 1945 film Dillinger, in which he co-starred with fellow TNG/DS9 guest star and fellow "tough guy" actor Marc Lawrence. He is also remembered for his performance as brutal killer Sam Wilde in 1947's Born to Kill, directed by Robert Wise. Both of these films also featured TOS guest star Elisha Cook, Jr. in a supporting role. Tierney again worked with his Dillinger co-star Marc Lawrence in the 1967 Western Custer of the West, which co-starred Jeffrey Hunter.

Although Tierney had starring roles between 1945 and 1950, the 1950s saw him reduced to playing supporting characters, the result of several well-publicized off-screen brushes with the law. These altercations severely damaged Tierney's career, and as the years went on, his movie parts grew smaller. He did, however, have an occasional major role, as was the case with the 1987 film Tough Guys Don't Dance, co-starring Clarence Williams III. He also had a recurring role on the television series Hill Street Blues from 1985 through 1987, on which he played Sergeant Jenkins and worked with series regular James B. Sikking. In addition, he played Elaine Benes' father in an early episode of Seinfeld, the popular NBC series which starred Jason Alexander.

In 1992, Tierney once again gained recognition from moviegoers for his portrayal of group leader Joe Cabot in Quentin Tarantino's cult film Reservoir Dogs. He subsequently had small roles in such films as the 1994 comedy Junior (which also featured Frank Langella and Alexander Enberg) and the 1998 sci-fi/action blockbuster *Armageddon (which was co-written by J.J. Abrams and which also featured Anthony Guidera, Marshall R. Teague, Matt Malloy, Andy Milder, and Jim Fitzpatrick). In addition, he made guest appearances on such television series as Silk Stalkings (with Henry Darrow and Freda Foh Shen), L.A. Law (with Corbin Bernsen, Larry Drake, Samantha Eggar, Harvey Jason, and Tom Wright), and ER (with Lily Mariye and George Murdock). He also voiced Don Brodka in the "Marge Be Not Proud" episode of The Simpsons.

Personal life

Tierney was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 15 March 1919. He was a track and field star at Brooklyn's Boys High School and earned an athletic scholarship to Manhattan College, but quit after two years to work as a laborer on the New York Aqueduct. He subsequently moved from job to job across the country until an acting coach convinced him to take on acting. Tierney joined the Black Friars Theatre group and later the American-Irish Theatre, where he was spotted by an RKO talent scout and given a film contract in 1943.

As much as he was known for playing a "tough guy" on the big screen, Tierney was known more so for actually being one in real life. Throughout his life, Tierney often got into public altercations with others, including the law. Between 1944 and 1951, he was arrested a dozen times for brawling and drunkenness. These incidents often received ample media coverage, hindering his acting career. He returned to New York in the 1960s, where he did several odd jobs and found occasional film work. An admitted alcoholic, he quit drinking after suffering a stroke in 1982. He returned to Hollywood in 1983 and continued working in film as well as television.

Tierney would even instigate confrontations between fellow actors and other crew members. During the filming of "The Big Goodbye", he menacingly insulted 15-year-old Wil Wheaton with his remarks. [1] While working on Seinfeld, he scared the cast members by hiding a butcher knife from the set under his jacket and wielding it jokingly at series star Jerry Seinfeld. He was never invited back to the show. [2] On the set of Reservoir Dogs, the cast and crew found Tierney's antics both amusing and disturbing, and Tierney nearly got into fights with co-star Edward Bunker and writer-director Quentin Tarantino.

Tierney's agent, Don Gerler, stated that he was bailing Tierney out of jail as late as 1994, when Tierney was 75. [3] Tierney succumbed to pneumonia in February of 2002 in Los Angeles, California. He was 82 years old.

Other Trek connections

Additional films in which Tierney appeared with other Star Trek performers include:

External links