Ken Lerner is an American television, stage, and film actor born in Brooklyn, New York, and a graduate of Brooklyn College. He is the father of actor Sam Lerner and the brother of Michael actor Lerner.
Lerner is well-known for playing humorous characters in various films and television shows, including the agent Arnold Schwarzenegger stabs in the back with a pen in The Running Man (1987) and the attorney who yells to police "Don't shoot! I'm a lawyer!" in Unlawful Entry (1992).
He has appeared in more than 80 television shows and 44 movies, with recurring roles on shows such as Desperate Housewives (2004),Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997),Chicago Hope (1994),Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990),and Happy Days (1974).
Lerner started his career in Hollywood by landing a role in the hit show Happy Days, where he played three different characters. He also starred in the award-winning American Film Institute student film debut of director Martin Brest, Hot Tomorrows (1977).
In addition to his acting career, Lerner has taught acting classes, initially at the request of his acting teacher Roy London, until London's death in 1993. He now operates The Ken Lerner Studio, offering cold reading and scene study classes, as well as free public seminars featuring industry professionals.
Lerner has also had a successful career in commercials, starring in numerous notable and funny ads, including Kitchenaid's "Through the Years" series, Federal Express "Gotcha," Visa's "Bill Fight," Imodium's "Carpool," and Mars' Snickers "Optometrist," for which he won the Best Actor award of The Association of Independent Commercial Directors.
He has also appeared in plays at various venues in Los Angeles and New York City, including the Pasadena Playhouse, Garry Marshall's Falcon Theater, and Backstage West's Actorfest.
Lerner is a sought-after coach, teaching seminars for the Screen Actors Guild and the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, as well as coaching actors privately and via Skype. He has taught and coached numerous actors, including Famke Janssen, Sheena Easton, Lisa Edelstein, and many others.
Additionally, Lerner works with motivational speakers, psychologists, and lawyers to help them present a more animated, interesting, and professional image.
