Mel's Diner - The Life and Sad Ending® of Vic Tayback

It is important to put things in context. Shakespeare died when he was only 52, Louis XIII 41, James Clark Maxwell 48. No one thought at the times these men were short changed in life spans.

Wow! I had no idea he had played so many different roles/shows. Very diverse actor with a heck of a resume. Amazing he did all of that by the age of 60. Great video and replay of his career!

As a little kid in the 70s, I thought Vic was SUCH a tough guy, in a good way. I LOVED him on Alice, absolutely loved him and was SO sad when he passed.

Many great actors that will never be replaced again.

I remember seeing him in The Choirboys along with the late Burt Young.

I recall a TV Guide magazine profile they did on Tayback in the 1970s.
Turns out one of his side-jobs he had when starting out with acting was working as a clerical temp for Kelly Girls employment agency, with working as a bank teller his specialty.
In that same article, I recall when Tayback would show up to the workplace for his temporary assignment, he'd identify himself as being sent from Kelly Girls, with saying: 'and don't laugh!'

He was in the season one second episode of the Tales from the Darkside series of the 1980's. The New Man!

I'm another one who thought he was funny in Alice. What a great resume !!! Cheers 🍻

he had a good career

My birthday is Jan 6th too. Also Bonnie Franklin, Earl Scruggs, and Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett....What a combo, lol

Hello. I would like to someday see you do a episode about David Jansson.

Loved the guitar and view of cemetery's before you signed. Also love you out of the studio. Now i loved that actor in Alice and saw some of those t.v. shows he did. MAY HE REST IN PEACE! Thanks for his story.

Indeed, Forest Lawn is such a wonderful place that it must take some of the sting out of being dead.

I liked him in Alice. Thanks for these reportings Steve. They're short, interesting and I always click.

Although not one of my favorite episodes I will always remember him from his one appearance on Star Trek. I often say this of actors from his era, he looked much older than his actual age and died so young. I believe people born in the 20’s and 30’s for the post part had a hard life and it aged them faster than later generations. Those Trek fans will remember his line “I’ve never been arrested in my life” responding to Captain Kirk saying the planet has arrested development 😊 thanks again for your content Steve!

Apparently he worked for a time at Lockheed in Burbank; my grandmother told me in the 1980’s that she had worked with Vic there, the dates I can’t recall, but I guess it was after college and before he got into acting. She said he was a great co-worker and she had many fond memories of their time working together.

Yes! I didn't loose you but got behind. Enjoyed all the info on Vic Tayback. I remember him most from Alice.
Your guitar 🎸 playing is stellar. 👍

He made appearances on many TV series. He played Sergeant Norman Hasejian in the first season of the Streets of San Francisco first season. On the movie Bullitt, his name was Victor Tayback. He was also on The FBI, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, ABC Movie Of The Week, and many other movies and TV shows

Was watching an episode of Colombo and there was Vic. An artist. Slim and fit with nice threads on

I didn't know he was in that much stuff either.., I just remember watching him on, "Alice", with my mom back in the day.

He was in bullet for 2 seconds at the beginning. Never watched Alice

He is also in thunder bolt and Lightfoot , plays Jeff bridges landscaping boss !!!

He didn't live as long as an other diner cook Arnold's Al Molinaro, only 96.

Sometimes you depress me, all these people dying younger than me! lol

Kids my grits

On Alice some lady at a casino Mel was at called him a "tub of lard". Mel did a great job on Alice but you could tell Vic was overweight & didn't take care himself.

He was probably a smoker too, right?

I didn't realize Vic was in so many different TV shows or etc. either but Vic always had a weekly paycheck coming from something compared to a lot of actors of the time.

You forgot to mention he played a major role in the movie the Choir Boys .

I was watching a copycat the other day thinking it was your channel. I didn’t think much of the story and discovered it wasn’t Steve!
You possess the correct demeanor, delivery & talent to be a huge success in bringing back memories of the deceased.
Thanks!

Guess this says my age but I loved him in All Dogs go to Heaven. I loved that movie as a kid.

I met Vic Tayback in 1981 quite by accident. I was in Loma Linda, CA attending a car race and Vic and his wife sat down in front of me. I finally asked if he was Vic Tayback and he said yes. He didn't act any different than anyone else. Very down to earth. I was in the U. S. Army stationed at Fort Ord and went to the races with my uncle, aunt and cousins. It was great to meet him.

He was a terrific actor. I understand that his only child is son. And he is an accomplished trial attorney. We sure could use him representing victims and holding Johnson and Johnson accountable! RIP Vic! We will see you in a better place.

You should have played it on the Gibson SG

I am the proud owner of a Martin ukulele…. You performed magically my friend…..

This is a morbidly good channel.

Always interesting learning about different people. Thanks!

Haha. I found my way back because my notifications are ON, Steve.

More cowbell, Steve!

Mel kiss my grits.

i loved him in Star Trek

His last role must have been the voice of Carface. (All Dogs Go To Heaven 1989)

I recently came up with two Mel's Diner/Alice jokes.

1. Mel's Revenge, starring Vic Payback as Mel.
2. Mel's Internet Archive, starring Vic Wayback as Mel.

Hes was awesome

He came out on an episode of Tales From the Darkside

Vic Tayback was especially memorable as a 1920's style "Gangster" in Star Trek: TOS.

He was in “The Choirboys” 1977. Got in a fight with Roscoe Rules.

He was great on Alice. I also remember him appearing on "Hogan's Heroes". TY for covering him. God Bless You & stay safe.

I saw him on Alice as a kid, and so many of the other things as I grew older. He was truly talented, and died so young. RIP Mr. Tayback
😿❤

Wow. A Syrian American. His ending wasn't sad. Just painful and sudden. We all have to go in the end.

Just donating to be generous 😇