Harry Goz, 71; played lead in 'Fiddler'

By Associated Press, 10/2/2003

NEW YORK -- Harry Goz, an actor who went from an understudy in the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" to its lead role, died of cancer on Sept. 6 in a Manhasset, N.Y., hospital. He was 71.

Mr. Goz debuted in the Broadway production of "Bajour" in 1964, but when its lead actor, Herschel Bernardi, caught chicken pox, Mr. Goz took his place. In 1966 he was Bernardi's understudy for the role of Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" and filled in 112 times before taking over the part for good in 1967.

He played the role for more than a year on Broadway before the spot was taken over by Jerry Jarrett.

After appearing in "Fiddler on the Roof," Mr. Goz was in the Richard Rogers musical "Two by Two," playing the part of Shem, but he wound up in the lead role once again when Danny Kaye broke his ankle.

In addition, Mr. Goz appeared in "Prisoner of Second Avenue" and "Chess" and also worked in television and movies and was a voice-over actor in commercials. He most recently played Captain Murphy on Cartoon Network's "Sealab 2021."

Mr. Goz leaves his wife, Margaret; two sons, Geoffrey and Michael; a daughter, Melissa Goz Tantillo; a sister, Jane Goz Goodman; and nine grandchildren.