Quick Facts
Biography
Richard Portnow (born January 26, 1947) is an American actor known for such films and television series as Good Morning, Vietnam, Barton Fink, Kindergarten Cop, Seven, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Spirit, Law Abiding Citizen, Private Parts, Fallen Arches, Double Down, Poolhall Junkies, Spring Break '83, The Sopranos, Hannah Montana, The Nanny, Trumbo, Oldboy, Find Me Guilty, Underdogs and Boston Legal.
Life
Portnow was born in Brooklyn, New York. A veteran of stage, film and television, Portnow was named one of the "Actors We Love" from the actors' trade newspaper Back Stage West with the newspaper saying "Portnow knows exactly how to hook an audience with every character".
He graduated with a BA degree as a speech and theater major from Brooklyn College.
Career
1990s
Portnow played the role of defense attorney Harold "Mel" Melvoin on the Emmy-winning HBO series The Sopranos (1999), the lawyer for Uncle Junior.
2000s
Portnow appeared in Matthew Charles Santoro's sci-fi film Higher Power, which was released in 2018.