Robert Pastorelli

Biography

Robert Pastorelli was an American actor known for his robust performances and distinctive characters. He began his career in theater during the 1970s, appearing in productions such as "Rebel Without a Cause," "The Rainmaker," and "Death of a Salesman." Transitioning to film and television in the early 1980s, Pastorelli gained recognition for his roles in "Outrageous Fortune" and "Beverly Hills Cop II." His most notable performance came as the lovable house painter, Eldin Bernecky, on the long-running sitcom "Murphy Brown," where he appeared for seven seasons. Pastorelli also featured in films like "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" and "Michael," and he appeared on stage in "A Streetcar Named Desire" alongside Glenn Close. Despite his success, he struggled with substance abuse, which ultimately led to his untimely death from a heroin overdose in 2004 at the age of 49.