Michael Lembeck (born June 25, 1948) is an American actor and television and film director. He is best known as Max Horvath in One Day at a Time (1979âÂÂ1984).
Lembeck was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Caroline Dubs and Harvey Lembeck, an actor and comedian. His parents practiced the Jewish faith. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1966. He began acting in the late 1960s and directing in the 1970s.
His most notable acting role was as Julie Cooper (Mackenzie Phillips)'s husband, Max Horvath, on the sitcom One Day at a Time. He played newscaster Clete Meizenheimer on the series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
In 1975, he appeared on Barney Miller in the episode "Hair" as Officer Guardeno. He also played Kaptain Kool of the fictional band Kaptain Kool and the Kongs on The Krofft Supershow from 1976 to 1978. He is also known for his role as Vinnie Fazio in The Boys in Company C in 1978. He was a member of the cast of the 1985âÂÂ1986 situation comedy Foley Square. He appeared with his father, actor Harvey Lembeck, in an episode of The Partridge Family in 1971.
Lembeck has had collaborations with actor Peter Boyle (with whom he had previously appeared as an actor in ') in both The Santa Clause 2 and its sequel '. Lembeck also directed Boyle in a number of episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond.
Lembeck's first film appearance came in the 1968 film Hang 'Em High where he portrays âÂÂMarvin,â a store clerk with two spoken lines, in which he asks the proprietor where to store blankets. He later acted in The In-Laws. He directed The Santa Clause 2 and ', as well as the Nia Vardalos film Connie and Carla and Tooth Fairy.
Lembeck now works as a full-time film and TV director. He won an Emmy for his work on the Friends episode "The One After the Superbowl", which was also the most-viewed episode of the series. He also directed 20 other episodes of the series.
Lembeck is married to his second wife, retired actress Lorna Patterson. They raised two children.
Lembeck's work has received recognition from the Directors Guild of America, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (also known as the ATAS).
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