Introduction
Cliff Emmich (born December 13, 1936) is an American actor in comedy films, active in the late 1970s through early 2000s. He's a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Early life
Emmich was born on December 13, 1936 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was raised in Los Angeles. His father, Clifford, was a popular exotic car dealer whose customers included known Hollywood celebrities such as Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, and Ozzie Nelson.
Emmich attended John Muir High School in Pasadena, California. After graduation, he served in the air force for four years as a photo technician.
Career
Emmich began his acting on stage. He joined Pasadena Playhouse, a performing arts venue, upon the suggestion of noted actor Keenan Wynn. After studying acting/drama at Pasadena Playhouse for eight months, he toured the country with the American Repertory Players and also spent a summer performing in summer stock at the Pink Garter Theatre in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
He made his film debut in 1969, appearing in a minor, uncredited role in director Norman Jewison's comedy Gaily, Gaily. In 1973, he was seen in director Daryl Duke's drama Payday. In the film, Emmich portrayed the character of "Chicago", a chauffeur to the character of "Maury Dann" (played by Rip Torn.)
Over the following years, Emmich was seen in a wide range of films including Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973), Jackson County Jail (1976), “The Psychic” episode of Starsky and Hutch (1977), “Macho Murders” episode of TV series Vega$ (1979), 3 episodes of CHiPs (1978-1983), and many others. He was active in the 1990s and was seen in several TV shows in that peiod.
Emmich's last credit was the 2013 comedy/drama Holiday Road Trip. The film was directed by Fred Olen Ray and had Ashley Scott, Patrick Muldoon, and Kip Pardue in its lead cast.