Mel Winkler, who starred in Doc Hollywood and Devil In A Blue Dress, dies at age 78

  • Mel Winkler died Thursday in his sleep at his Hollywood home at the age of 78
  • The actor, who also served in the US Army, passed away of unknown causes 
  • The actor starred in Devil In A Blue Dress, Doc Hollywood and Coach Carter
  • He also voiced characters in The New Batman Adventures, Crash Bandicoot and Oswald
  • Mel was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 23, 1941
  • He is survived by his children Mark and Maury, and his four granddaughters 

By SARAH SOTOODEH

Published: | Updated:

Mel Winkler died Thursday at the age of 78.

The actor, who is known for films Doc Hollywood, Devil In A Blue Dress and Coach Carter, passed away in his sleep of unknown causes at this Hollywood home, according to his family, via The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition to his on screen roles, Mel also did voiceover work and appeared on Broadway. 

Rest In Peace: Mel Winkler died Thursday at the age of 78; pictured at Their Eyes Were Watching God premiere in Hollywood in 2005

Rest In Peace: Mel Winkler died Thursday at the age of 78; pictured at Their Eyes Were Watching God premiere in Hollywood in 2005

Mel is survived by his children Mark and Maury, and his four granddaughters, according to the outlet.

Mel was 'a consummate professional [who was] always willing to share his knowledge and wisdom on any given subject. His infectious smile and love for family will forever be missed. He was a giant among many,' Courtney Benson, a family spokesperson. told THR.

He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 23, 1941.

Mel served in the US Army before making his onscreen debut as Dr. Simon Harris on The Doctors, an NBC daytime soap opera, in 1969, according to THR.

Star: The actor, who is known for films Doc Hollywood, Devil In A Blue Dress and Coach Carter, passed away in his sleep of unknown causes at this Hollywood home, according to his family, via The Hollywood Reporter; pictured November 11, 2013 at the NAACP Theatre Awards

Star: The actor, who is known for films Doc Hollywood, Devil In A Blue Dress and Coach Carter, passed away in his sleep of unknown causes at this Hollywood home, according to his family, via The Hollywood Reporter; pictured November 11, 2013 at the NAACP Theatre Awards

In 1968, he appeared on Broadway in The Great White Hope; he also starred in the August Wilson play Joe Turner's Come And Gone in 1988 and Neil Simon's Proposals in 1997 through 1998.

Mel starred in his first movie in 1972 - Across 110th Street.

He went on to play Melvin in Doc Hollywood (1991), Joppy in Devil In A Blue Dress (1995) and Coach White in Coach Carter (2005).

Mel's voiceover resume includes video game Crash Bandicoot and series The New Batman Adventures (as Lucius Fox) and on Oswald (as snow cone shop owner Johnny Snowman).

In character: He went on to play Melvin in Doc Hollywood (1991), Joppy in Devil In A Blue Dress (1995) and Coach White in Coach Carter (2005); pictured in Devil In A Blue Dress

In character: He went on to play Melvin in Doc Hollywood (1991), Joppy in Devil In A Blue Dress (1995) and Coach White in Coach Carter (2005); pictured in Devil In A Blue Dress

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