Charles Grodin was born in 1935 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Miami but didnt graduate. In 1954 he made his film debut in Disneys 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. During the 1960s he started appearing on television series like The Virginian and the 1968 horror film Rosemarys Baby. His big break came in 1972 when he was cast in the lead role in the film The Heartbreak Kid, which gave him recognition as a comedy actor. He was also in the 1978 comedy Heaven Can Wait. In the 1980s he landed roles in movies such as The Great Muppet Caper and Neil Simons Seems Like Old Times. In 1992 his career took off when he landed the role of George Newton in the childrens comedy Beethoven, which was a box office hit. In 2000 he became a political commentator for 60 minutes II and host of his own issues orientated talk show - The Charles Grodin Show. He is a best selling author of several books such as It Would Be So Nice If You Werent Here, How I Got Through Life, and Blood Sweat and Chalk.