Ken Lerner

Ken Lerner is an American television, stage, and film actor whose career spans more than four decades, beginning with his debut on the classic sitcom Happy Days in the mid‑1970s. Born Kenneth Lerner on May 27 1948 in Brooklyn, New York, he grew up as the youngest of three sons in a Romanian‑Jewish family; his father George worked as a fisherman and antiques dealer while his mother Blanche maintained the household. After studying at Brooklyn College, Lerner entered the entertainment industry and quickly became known for portraying whiny, unlucky, or nervous characters, a niche that earned him a steady stream of guest‑starring roles across popular series. His early work included playing one of the Malachi brothers on Happy Days, and he later appeared as Principal Bob Flutie in the inaugural episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a role that cemented his cult‑favorite status among genre fans. Beyond television, Lerner accumulated a diverse filmography, appearing in the dystopian action picture The Running Man as a treacherous agent, the comedy The Goldbergs as Lou Schwartz, and even lending his voice to the video game L.A. Noire. He has also been featured in national commercials for Wells Fargo and T‑Mobile, showcasing his comedic timing in short‑form advertising. In recent years, Lerner continued to work steadily, with credits such as a corrupt business manager in Silicon Valley and a courtroom figure in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. His son, actor Sam Lerner, frequently shares the screen with him, most notably on The Goldbergs, highlighting a family legacy rooted in performance. Throughout his extensive career, Lerner’s consistent presence in supporting roles has made him a recognizable and dependable character actor in the industry.