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Jim Zulevic

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Jim Zulevic
Born
Jim Zulevic

February 20, 1965
DiedJanuary 7, 2006(2006-01-07) (aged 40)
Chicago, Illinois, US
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • writer
  • radio host
Years active1996–2006

Jim Zulevic (February 20, 1965 – January 7, 2006) was an American actor, improvisational comedian, television writer, and radio host. He died suddenly, most likely due to a heart attack, at age 40.[1]

Early life

Zulevic, who was of Croatian heritage, grew up in Chicago, where he graduated from St. Thomas More Grammar School, Brother Rice High School and Columbia College Chicago.[citation needed]

He worked a number of jobs, from bouncer at Chicago's famed Exit Club to a runner at the Board of Trade to support himself. All the while he studied at The Second City, where he was taken under the wing of his mentor, Sheldon Patinkin. Before joining Second City, he performed for a short time at Chicago's Improv Institute.[citation needed]

Second City

Zulevic joined The Second City comedy troupe in 1992. He starred in nine stage revues, including "Paradigm Lost" in 1997 with Tina Fey, Scott Adsit and Rachel Dratch. Zulevic created his most famous character of "Billy" at this time.[citation needed]

Television

Zulevic wrote for the Jamie Kennedy Experiment.[citation needed] He appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Drew Carey Show, Early Edition, Prison Break, Real Time with Bill Maher, The Shield, and the final episode of the long-running series, Seinfeld.[citation needed]

He also created commercials for the Fox Broadcasting Company in Chicago, where he was known for his quirky comments on reruns of The Simpsons.[2]

Movies

Zulevic appeared in The Bogus Witch Project, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Let's Go to Prison, Matchstick Men, The Specials, and Talent. He also directed a comedy short, Baby Time Share, in 2005.[citation needed]

Other activities

Zulevic hosted the weekly radio show "Second City Radio" on WCKG-FM, and taught improv classes at Columbia College Chicago and The Second City. He was working with Bob Odenkirk on a project based on the July 1979 Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park at the time of his death.[citation needed]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Early Edition Greg Bratcher, Brat Guy / Stockbroker 2 episodes
1998 Seinfeld Bernie Episode: "The Finale"
1998 Talent David
1999 Time Served Computer Hacker TV movie
2000 The Bogus Witch Project Bob Zombie TV movie, (segment "In the Woods Segments")
2000 The Specials Mr. Smart
2000 The Near Future Virgil TV movie
2001 The Drew Carey Show Earl 2 episodes
2001 Curb Your Enthusiasm Worker Episode: "The Car Salesman"
2003 Melvin Goes to Dinner Minor Role
2003 Matchstick Men Bartender
2004 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
2004 The Shield Detective Camara Episode: "Posse Up"
2005 Prison Break ER Doctor Episode: "Odd Man Out"
2005 Real Time with Bill Maher Larry Fessman 1 episode
2006 Let's Go to Prison Sgt. Barker (final film role)

References

  1. ^ "Obituary for Jim Zulevic". variety.com. January 17, 2006.
  2. ^ "The Jim Zulevic Interview". zulkey.com.