David "Barney" Miller was an American actor, comedian and producer best known for his role as Captain Barney Miller on the ABC sitcom "Barney Miller" from 1975 to 1982. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 23, 1923, and began his career as a stand-up comic in the 1940s.
Miller served in the U.S. Army during World War II and earned a Bronze Star for his service. After the war, he continued to pursue a career in entertainment, appearing in numerous plays and films. He made his Broadway debut in 1949 in the play "The Silver Whistle".
Miller's big break came in 1965 when he was cast in the Broadway production of "The Odd Couple". He gained notoriety for his performance as the slovenly sportswriter Oscar Madison, and won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
In 1975, Miller was cast as the title character in the ABC sitcom "Barney Miller". He played the role of a New York City police captain in charge of a squad of detectives in Greenwich Village. The show became a hit and earned Miller an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1977.
Throughout his career, Miller appeared in numerous films and TV shows. He co-starred in the films "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" (1974) and "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" (1975). He made guest appearances on "The Love Boat," "Fantasy Island," and "Alice" and provided voice work for animated films such as "The Secret of NIMH" (1982), "The Brave Little Toaster" (1987) and "The Land Before Time" (1988).
In 1983, Miller retired from acting and began producing films. He produced the films "The Flamingo Kid" (1984), "My Stepmother Is an Alien" (1988), and "The War of the Roses" (1989).
Miller died on May 23, 2002 at the age of 79. He was survived by his wife and three children.
Miller will be remembered as one of the most beloved television and film actors of his generation. His portrayal of Captain Barney Miller in the hit sitcom "Barney Miller" earned him widespread acclaim and cemented his legacy as a comedic genius.
