Victor E. Tayback (January 6, 1930 – May 25, 1990) was an American actor. He is known for his role as Mel Sharples in the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) and the television series Alice (1976–1985). The latter earned him two consecutive Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Life and career Tayback was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Helen (née Hanood) and Najeeb James Tayback. His parents were immigrants from Aleppo, Syria. He moved with his family to Burbank, California during his teenage years and attended Burbank High School, from which he graduated in 1947. He also attended Glendale Community College and the Frederick A. Speare School of Radio and TV Broadcasting. Tayback served in the United States Navy before beginning his acting career at the age of 25. A lifetime member of the Actors Studio, he was a familiar face on television in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on numerous series, including The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Star Trek, Bonanza, Here Come the Brides, That Girl , Gunsmoke, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Partridge Family, All in the Family, Gunsmoke, Fantasy Island, Columbo, and The Love Boat. He also appeared in many films such as Bullitt (1968), Papillon (1973), The Gambler (1974), The Cheap Detective (1978), and All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989), as well as more than 25 stage productions, including Twelve Angry Men, The Diary of Anne Frank, Death of a Salesman, and Brighton Beach Memoirs. He was the co-founder of the theater troupe Company of Angels. Tayback's most famous role was diner owner Mel Sharples in both the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) and the television series Alice (1976–1985). He was the only actor in the original film to reprise his role for the rest of the series. For the role, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1978 and won two consecutive Golden Globe Awards in 1980 and 1981. Filmography The Power of the Resurrection (1958) – Simon the Canaanite T-Bird Gang (1959) – Cop #1 at gas station Gangster Story (1959) – Norm, Resort Guard (uncredited) North to Alaska (1960) – Roustabout (uncredited) Five Minutes to Live (1961) – Fred Dorella Surftide 77 (1962) – Arms Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962) – European Agent (uncredited) Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) – Cye (uncredited) Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966) – Denver Police