David Margulies was born on February 19, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. He was the son of Runya (née Zeltzer), a nurse and museum employee, and Harry David Margulies, a lawyer. He died on January 11, 2016, in New York City at the age of 78.
He studied at City College of New York, where he completed his higher education.
David Margulies began his acting career on stage, making his debut in the off-Broadway production Golden 6 in 1958. He went on to establish himself in theater, appearing on Broadway in the 1973 revival of The Iceman Cometh, a major Eugene O’Neill production.
Transitioning into film, Margulies built a steady career as a character actor. His screen credits include The Front (1976), Last Embrace (1979), All That Jazz (1979), Dressed to Kill (1980), Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986), Running on Empty (1988), and Fading Gigolo (2013). He became widely recognized for his role as Mayor Lenny Clotch in Ghostbusters (1984) and its sequel Ghostbusters II (1989), where his performance added a distinctive comedic presence.
On television, Margulies was a prolific actor with appearances in numerous series, including Kojak, Tales from the Darkside, Northern Exposure, and Chicago Hope. He appeared in multiple episodes of Law & Order and gained particular recognition for his recurring role as Neil Mink, the lawyer to Tony Soprano, in The Sopranos, appearing in eight episodes. His television work demonstrated his versatility and ability to portray authoritative and nuanced supporting characters.
Throughout his career, David Margulies remained a respected actor known for his consistency across stage, film, and television, with a particular strength in character roles.
