The character actor Herschel Bernadi was born into a theatrical family on October 30, 1923 in New York, New York. The Yiddish-language theater in the United States was centered in New York City's Lower East Side, on Second Avenue, and the Bernardi family were stage people who plied their craft in Yiddish, as did the Adler Family Mostel, like Ritt, had been blacklisted in the 1950s. Herschel Bernadi died on May 9, 1986 at the age of 63, still a working actor whose services were in demand from childhood.
Blacklisted by Hollywood in the early 50s for alleged communist ties.
He was the voice of "Charley" the Starkist Tuna in the commercials.
He was the "Ho-Ho-Ho" voice of the "Jolly Green Giant" in commercials.
Was twice nominated for Broadways Tony Award as Best Actor : in 1969 for "Zorba: and in 1982 for a revival of "Fiddler on the Roof."
As a child, acted in Yiddish theatre with his parents Berel and Laina Bernardi.
His brother Jack Bernardi was also an actor.
Michael Bernardi , his son with Teri, is also an actor.
Appeared in a pilot for a series starring Scott Valentine as the character he plays on Family Ties, Nick Moore.
