Allen Garfield, a stocky character actor who lent an intense naturalism to celebrated 1970s films such as “The Conversation” and “Nashville,” died April 7 in Los Angeles. He was 80.
His sister, Lois Goorwitz, said the cause was complications from covid-19. Mr. Garfield had been a resident at the Motion Picture Television Fund Home, the industry retirement facility in Los Angeles where several staffers and some residents have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Mr. Garfield grew up in New Jersey and first set out as a boxer and a sportswriter. While covering sports for the Newark Star-Ledger, he studied acting at night and was eventually accepted by the Actors Studio workshop and studied under Lee Strasberg. more
