Daniel Stern

Prolific character actor Daniel Stern accumulated an impressive list of performances in a wide variety of roles over a career that spanned decades. Making a memorable debut in the surprise hit film "Breaking Away" (1979), he was immediately likable in the part of the hilarious and laid back Cyril. Soon, Stern was working with the likes of Woody Allen, just prior to co-starring in another small, but highly-regarded film, director Barry Levinson's "Diner" (1982). There were missteps along the way, such as the schlock horror movie "C.H.U.D." (1984), but those were outweighed by his efforts on projects like "The Wonder Years" (ABC, 1987-1993), for which Stern provided uncredited narration for the fondly remembered series. His biggest success came with the role of Marv, the comically rotten burglar in the smash hit "Home Alone" (1990), co-starring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci. Stern immediately followed with yet another box-office bonanza, cast as the repressed pal of Billy Crystal in "City Slickers" (1991). Flush with success, he antagonized Culkin again in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992), made his directorial debut with "Rookie of the Year" (1993), and hit the trail once again in "City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold" (1994). And while some future endeavors fell flat, such as "Celtic Pride" (1996) and the failed sitcom "Regular Joe" (ABC, 2002-03), Stern would continue to lend his considerable talents to films like the girl power dramedy "Whip It" (2009) and the action thriller "The Next Three Days" (2010). While not packing the name recognition of some of his more high-wattage contemporaries, Stern nonetheless remained one of the more versatile supporting actors in film and on television.