Joe Mantell, ‘Chinatown’ and ‘Marty’ Actor, Dies at 94

Joe Mantell, an Oscar-nominated actor probably best known for his role in Chinatown alongside Jack Nicholson, died on Wednesday. He was 94.
Joe Mantell, ‘Chinatown’ and ‘Marty’ Actor, Dies at 94
Updated:
Joe Mantell, an Oscar-nominated actor probably best known for his role in Chinatown alongside Jack Nicholson, died on Wednesday. He was 94.

Mantell was suffering from a long term, unspecified illness. He passed away at Providence Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana, California, his family told the Associated Press.

Throughout his acting career, Mantell appeared in more than 70 film and TV roles, and received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in 1955’s Marty, as the best friend of Ernest Borgnine’s character.

In 1974‘s Chinatown, he played Lawrence Walsh, the partner of Jack Nicholson’s character, detective Jake Gittes.

Chinatown’s well-known final line, “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown,” is his.

Martrell is survived by his wife and three children. AP reported that a private funeral will be held on Sunday.