Jack Axelrod, a revered figure in the American entertainment industry known for his portrayal of mob boss Victor Jerome on the television series “General Hospital,” passed away on November 28, 2023. He was 93. According to his representative, Jennifer Garland, Axelrod died of natural causes in Los Angeles.
Axelrod, a Los Angeles native born on January 25, 1930, had a diverse early career, including a stint as a corporal in the US Army in Germany from 1953 to 1955. He initially studied architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, before his passion for acting led him to a different path.
His acting career, extending over five decades, established him as a consistent and dynamic presence in the entertainment world. His tenure on “General Hospital” from 1987 to 1989 was particularly notable. Axelrod also had significant roles in series such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “My Name is Earl,” “Dallas,” “Dynasty,” “Night Court,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” His final movie appearance was in “Bad Therapy” in 2020.
Axelrod made his film debut in Woody Allen’s “Bananas” in 1971 and appeared in other films like “Hancock,” “Little Fockers,” “Super 8,” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.”
He honed his acting skills under the guidance of Uta Hagen at the Herbert Berghof Studio in New York City. Hagen, a notable actor and teacher, instructed many prominent actors until her death in 2004. Axelrod’s six-year apprenticeship under Hagen greatly influenced his career trajectory.
Beyond screen and film, Axelrod had a meaningful impact on theater, including a part in a 1969 off-Broadway “Macbeth” production and the Broadway play “Gandhi.” He was also a theater instructor at several universities, imparting his rich experience to students.
Garland shared memories of Axelrod’s interest in drawing, reading news, reciting Shakespeare, and engaging in outdoor activities in his later years.
