Edmund Lyndeck (October 4, 1925 – December 14, 2015) was an American actor and musical theatre performer. He is best known for originating the roles of Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Cinderella’s Father in Into the Woods. He later took over the role of the Mysterious Man in Into the Woods.
His other Broadway credits include 1776, Mrs. Warren's Profession, A Doll's Life, and Merlin, and he also played Sir Danvers Carew in the 1990 world premiere of Jekyll & Hyde.
Stage Lyndeck, a former college professor, spent over a dozen years in stock and regional theater before making his Broadway debut in the original production of 1776. After originating the role of John Witherspoon, Lyndeck went on to play Stephen Hopkins, Dr. Lyman Hall, and Charles Thomson before ending up on tour as John Dickinson.
His best-known role is the evil Judge Turpin in the original production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, which he also repeated for the first national tour, the 1980 television broadcast, and a 1994 production at the North Shore Music Theatre. He earned a Drama-Logue Award for his performance in the tour's Los Angeles berth. He followed up Sweeney Todd with another Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods, originating the role of Cinderella's Father and later playing the Mysterious Man as well. His other Broadway credits include Mrs. Warren's Profession, A Doll's Life, and Merlin.
Lyndeck worked frequently in Pennsylvania regional theater. For many years he was a fixture at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera — most notably as Scrooge in their annual musical version of A Christmas Carol, a role he performed almost every year from 1992 to 2007.
Film and television Lyndeck appeared occasionally on film and television. He was a contract player on a now-defunct soap opera, The Doctors, and has had guest roles in series like Ed, The Cosby Show, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His best-known film role is as the marijuana-smoking grandfather in Road Trip; he is also known for his appearance in Adam Sandler's Big Daddy as Mr. Herlihy, You Don't Mess with the Zohan as the Pharmacist, and his most recent appearance in The Notorious Bettie Page. He also did voiceovers for numerous television and film documentaries.
Death Lyndeck died December 14, 2015, aged 90.
Acting credits
Theatre Year Title Role Notes1943Ziegfeld FolliesBen Yost's Vi-King1963Around the World in 80 DaysM. Gasse / Maharajah of Panjipur / Silk Hat Harry1969-19721776 Rev. John Witherspoon u/s Charles Thomsonu/s Dr. Lyman Hallu/s Stephen Hopkinsu/s Thomas JeffersonBroadwayStephen HopkinsDr. Lyman HallStephen Hopkins u/s Charles Thomson1972The King and IThe Kralahome1976Mrs. Warren's Professionu/s Mr. PraedBroadway1776John DickinsonTour1977Piaf...A RemembranceLouis Leplee1979Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetJudge TurpinBroadway1980-1981National Tour1982A Doll's LifeEricBroadwayLos Angeles1983MerlinThe WizardBroadwayOliver!FaginRegional1985CarouselDr. SeldonMy Fair LadyColonel Hugh Pickering1987-1989Into the WoodsCinderella's Father s/b The Narrator / The Mysterious ManBroadwayThe Mysterious Man / Cinderella's Father s/b The Narrator1989Artist Descending A Staircaseu/s Beauchampu/s Martellou/s Donner1990Jekyll & HydeSir Danvers CarewPremiere1991Grand HotelColonel-Doctor OtternschlagBroadway1992-2007A Musical Christmas CarolEbeneezer ScroogeAnnual Regional Musical1993Grand HotelColonel-Doctor OtternschlagRegional1994Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetJudge Turpin1995The Secret GardenBen Weatherstaff19961776Stephen Hopkins1997Into the WoodsCinderella's Father10th Anniversary Concert Broadway1999Grand HotelColonel-Doctor OtternschlagRegional2003My Fair LadyColonel Hugh Pickering20041776Stephen Hopkins2005CarouselStarkeeper / Dr. Seldon
Film Year Title Role Notes 1982 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Judge Turpin TV movie Musical 1999 Big Daddy Mr. Herlihy 2000 Road Trip Barry's Grandpa 2005 The Notorious Bettie Page Father Egan 2006 The Ex Mr. Hordhaus 2007 Enchanted Derelict Old Man 2008 You Don't Mess with the Zohan Pharmacist 2009 The Good Heart Barber 2009 Splinterheads Albert 2010 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Patient 2013 The Big Wedding Elderly Husband
Television Year Title Role Notes 1970-73 The Doctors Dr. Carl Hendryx 69 episodes (uncredited and credit only) 1990 The Cosby Show Mr. Bingham Episode: What It's All About 1991 American Playhouse Cinderella's Father Episode: Into the Woods 2000 Ed Charlie Hudson/Molly's Grandfather 2 episodes 2001 Law & Order Howard Eastman Episode: Armed Forces 2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mr. Zelman Episode: Bound 2005 Third Watch Priest Episode: How Do You Spell Belief? 2011 The Onion News Network Old Gilgoff Episode: Enter the Factzone
Further reading Brown, Dennis. Actors Talk: Profiles and Stories from the Acting Trade. New York: Limelight, 1999. (Lyndeck is one of the actors interviewed.)
References
External links
Brief interview with Lyndeck about Stephen Sondheim Obituary - Playbill'