Movies with Jack Somack

Jack Somack was a versatile character actor who brought a delightful everyman charm to a wide range of roles over his three-decade career. Though he may be best remembered for his iconic turn in the classic Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" commercial, Somack's filmography reveals an actor with impressive range and a knack for stealing scenes. Whether playing a lovable sidekick like in the 1979 comedy The Main Event, or a more sinister character like the disturbed Herb Isaacson in the psychological thriller Desperate Characters, Somack imbued each performance with a lived-in realism and subtle humor. His ability to oscillate between likable goofball and unsettling supporting player made him a valuable asset, allowing him to shine in everything from zany action-comedies like Hero at Large to gritty character studies like Portnoy's Complaint. Somack's talent for elevating even the most minor roles was on full display in films like the 1979 The Frisco Kid, where he provided much of the film's heart and laughs as the bumbling yet kindhearted outlaw Avram. Though he may have never achieved the same level of fame as some of his more leading man-type contemporaries, Jack Somack's impressive body of work and his innate screen presence cement his status as one of the most dependable and delightful character actors of his era.