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Victor "Vic" Tayback (January 6, 1930 – May 25, 1990) was an American actor. Tayback was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the son of Helen (née Hanood) and Najeeb James Tayback. His parents were immigrants from Aleppo, Syria. Tayback moved with his family to Burbank, California, during his teenage years and attended Burbank High School. He ended up living in the city for the rest of his life. His most famous role was diner owner Mel Sharples in the 1974 movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, followed by his reprisal of the role on the related television series, Alice, which... MORE

Victor "Vic" Tayback (January 6, 1930 – May 25, 1990) was an American actor. Tayback was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the son of Helen (née Hanood) and Najeeb James Tayback. His parents were immigrants from Aleppo, Syria. Tayback moved with his family to Burbank, California, during his teenage years and attended Burbank High School. He ended up living in the city for the rest of his life. His most famous role was diner owner Mel Sharples in the 1974 movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, followed by his reprisal of the role on the related television series, Alice, which ran from 1976 to 1985. He was the only cast member of the original film to reprise his role in the television version. (Film co-star Diane Ladd later joined the TV version of Alice, playing a different character, and Alfred Lutter who reprised his role as Tommy for the pilot episode.). Tayback also guest starred in an episode of the fourth season of All in the Family which was called "Et tu, Archie?" In this particular episode, Tayback portrayed Archie's old friend, Joe Tucker. Tayback also starred as the alien gangster boss Jojo Krako in the Star Trek episode "A Piece of the Action". Star: Recurring LESS