Steven Hill

Consummate character player who first appeared on Broadway in the short-lived Ben Hecht drama "A Flag Is Born" (1946), opposite Paul Muni and Marlon Brando, and made his film debut in "A Lady Without Passport" (1950). A veteran of live TV drama (notably "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" 1958 and "The Sacco-Vanzetti Story" 1960), Hill has specialized in playing figures of moral authority. He played the father of Jill Clayburgh, in "It's My Turn" (1980); Meryl Streep, in "Heartburn" (1986); and Christine Lahti, in "Running on Empty" (1988). The actor excelled as Otto Berman, math wizard and mentor to the title character in "Billy Bathgate" (1991). Hill also spent ten years (1990-2000) as pragmatic D.A. Adam Schiff on the NBC TV series, "Law & Order."