Skip to content
MovieCove
Herschel Bernardi

Herschel Bernardi

Actor · Died May 9, 1986, aged 62 · New York City, New York, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Herschel Bernardi (30 October 1923, New York City – 9 May 1986, Los Angeles, California) was an American film, Broadway, and television actor. He is best known for his starring roles on Broadway including Fiddler on the Roof (as Tevye), Zorba, and Bajour, but he also acted in many television shows, including Harbor Command and The Eleventh Hour (both with Wendell Corey), as well as State Trooper, Peter Gunn. He was the lead in the CBS sitcom Arnie. Bernardi wrote at least one script for Peter Gunn. In Arnie, he starred for two years as someone plucked from the loading dock of a flange company to become an executive. Originally, the character was to receive a $25,000 annual salary, which was very good in those days. But, national economic woes caused producers to substitute the figure of $20,000 per year before airing. Born into the Yiddish theatre, Bernardi was appearing on the stages of 2nd Avenue with his acting family before he could talk. In the 1930s, Bernardi appeared in the Yiddish films of Edgar G. Ulmer and was later among those actors who made the transition from Yiddish-speaking roles in film to American films. Bernardi was also in several notable films, including Irma La Douce, Love with the Proper Stranger and the 1976 film The Front, a film about blacklisting in the entertainment industry. Bernardi was the victim of blacklisting during the 1950s, as were several other performers and the screenwriter and director on that film. Bernardi was a noted voiceover artist and narrator with hundreds of films, commercials and cartoons to his credit and was the original voice of StarKist Tuna animated character, "Charlie the Tuna". Herschel Bernardi also had two minor record hits, 1967's "If I Were A Rich Man", reflecting his success as Tevye, and 1971's "Pencil Marks On The Wall". Description above from the Wikipedia article Herschel Bernardi, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 30, 1923
Died
May 9, 1986 (aged 62)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
26 on MovieCove · 71 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 51% in 30 days

What are Herschel Bernardi's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 88th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Animation movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
33%
Morality
26%
Self
21%
Survival
8%
Power
8%
Society
4%
Romantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 3 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 7 · Intense 4

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 8
Herald
2 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Hero
1 of 8
Shapeshifter
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Melancholic
8
Romantic
4
Warm
4
Joyful
3
Other
14

How their films linger

Feel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Herschel Bernardi's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 26 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Herschel Bernardi's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

71 credits, 26 with a MovieCove page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • David and Goliath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Goliath (voice)

  • I-Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Bogosian

  • Hail to the Chief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 7 episodes · as Helmut Luger

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Avery Mendelsohn

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Highway to Heaven(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Almonds and Raisins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • The Million Dollar Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Nick Ravenna

  • $weepstake$ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Meyer Bolinski

  • Actor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Nahum Favel Weissenfreund

  • The Front(1976)

    as Philip Sussman

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Newman's Drugstore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Good Heavens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • No Deposit, No Return(1976)

    as Sgt. Max Turner

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Story of Jacob and Joseph(1974)

    as Laban

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Judgment: The Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg(1974)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Journey Back to Oz(1972)

    as Woodenhead Pinto Stallion III (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Sandcastles(1972)

    as Alexis

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • No Place to Run(1972)

    as Hyam Malsh

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Big Freeze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • But I Don't Want to Get Married! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Walter Benjamin

  • Arnie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 48 episodes · Actor

  • A Storm of Strangers: Jewish American (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Narrator

  • A Hatful of Rain(1968)

    as John Pope, Sr.

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Honey Pot(1967)

    as Oscar Ludwig (uncredited) (scenes deleted)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Odds Against (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Narrator

  • Honey West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Man from Button Willow(1965)

    as The Captain / Saloon Man#1 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Sean O'Casey: The Spirit of Ireland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • A Look Back at Crossbow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Narrator (uncredited) (voice)

  • Profiles in Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Gen. Daniel Sickles

  • Send Me No Flowers(1964)

    as TV Announcer (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Hangman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Love with the Proper Stranger(1963)

    as Dominick Rossini

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Monti

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as McCarthy

  • Mr. Novak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Otis

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Kid McCoy

  • The Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 2 episodes · as Captain Ames

  • Grindl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Vacation Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerome P. Baggley

  • Irma la Douce(1963)

    as Inspector Lefevre

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Great Rights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Sam Benedict (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Insp. Tony Delgano

  • The George Raft Story(1961)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Nathan Agurski · as Pico

  • Cain's Hundred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Louis Strode

  • A Cold Wind in August(1961)

    as Juley Franz

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Route 66(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Gerald Ward

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Flintstones(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Agent (voice) · as Detective (voice) · as Doctor #1 (voice) · as Silky (uncredited) (voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Checkmate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Ned Hazly

  • The Savage Eye(1959)

    as Kirk

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • 1001 Arabian Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as The Jinni of the Lamp (voice)

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Benno Fisk · as Julius Albert Vernon

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Clarence Bolling

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Murder by Contract(1958)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Kraft Music Hall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Naked City(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Gus Slate · as Stanley Dorkner

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Peter Gunn(1958)

    Show 114 episodes · as Lieutenant Jacoby

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Stakeout on Dope Street(1958)

    as Mr. Fennel

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Sale

  • Harbor Command (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Walter Winchell File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • State Trooper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Jake Carney

  • Matinee Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Studio 57 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie

  • The Red Skelton Hour(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Muggsy

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Flying South (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Wolf (voice) (uncredited)

  • The Singing Blacksmith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Yankel, as a boy

  • The Art of Being Nick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nick's Grandfather

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles, 70 of them dated from 1938 to 1986; peak year 1963.

Biggest box office

The Savage Eye (1959)

$16K worldwide

Highest rated

Irma la Douce (1963)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Peter Gunn (1958)

Film career

19381986

Peak 1963 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting71 of 71: 71 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score68th

By decade

1930s1 · acting1940s1 · acting1950s17 · acting1960s29 · acting1970s15 · acting1980s7 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Herschel Bernardi's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 26 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th5

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 26 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Judgment: The Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg (1974)

90th percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Irma la Douce (1963)

Midcredits 90th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Herschel Bernardi work with?

People who share at least 2 of Herschel Bernardi's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ben Maddow shares the most, 2.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers