Fyvush Finkel, 'Picket Fences,' 'Boston Public' star dead at 93

NEW YORK, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Noted television, film and theater actor Fyvush Finkel has died at the age of 93.

Confirmed by his son Ian through The New York Times, Finkel was said to have died Sunday in his Manhattan home after he had been suffering from heart problems.

Finkel was best known for his work as public defender Douglas Wambaugh in creator David E. Kelley's 1990's drama Picket Fences which earned him an Emmy award in 1994. Kelley later cast Finkel as high-school teacher Harvey Lipschultz in school drama Boston Public.

The actor who started out his career onstage in productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Little Shop of Horrors, also had roles in films such as Brighton Beach Memoirs, For Love or Money and Nixon.

In 2009 he appeared in the opening scene of best picture nominee A Serious Man from directors Joel and Ethan Coen.

Finkel is also survived by his son Elliot. His wife Trudi Lieberman of 61 years, died in 2008.