Hy Anzell (September 7, 1923 – August 23, 2003) was a Yiddish-speaking American actor. He originated the role of the flower shop owner, “Mr. Mushnik”, in the original off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors with Ellen Greene and Lee Wilkof. He was also in the original 1976 Broadway cast of Checking Out.
He appeared in dozens of films and television programs. He had roles in a number of films directed by Woody Allen, beginning with Bananas, and notably including Annie Hall (in which he had his best-known movie role as Uncle Joey Nichols).
He died of natural causes at age 79. Anzell was Jewish.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Bengal Brigade | Sepoy | Uncredited |
| 1954 | The Silver Chalice | Workman in Joseph’s Courtyard | Uncredited |
| 1955 | The Seven Little Foys | Dresser at ‘Iroquois’ | Uncredited |
| 1957 | The True Story of Jesse James | John – Jury Foreman | Uncredited |
| 1957 | Beau James | Reporter | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Party Girl | Man in Hall | Uncredited |
| 1968 | What’s So Bad About Feeling Good? | Uncredited | |
| 1969 | John and Mary | Taxi Driver | Uncredited |
| 1971 | Bananas | Patient In Operating Room | |
| 1973 | The Stone Killer | Cab Driver | |
| 1974 | The Taking of Pelham One Two Three | Latimer, Toll Booth Guard | Uncredited |
| 1976 | Death Play | Harry | |
| 1977 | Annie Hall | Joey Nichols | |
| 1987 | Radio Days | Mr. Waldbaum | |
| 1987 | Ironweed | Rosskam | |
| 1989 | Dead Bang | Captain Waxman | |
| 1989 | Crimes and Misdemeanors | Seder Guest | |
| 1990 | Pacific Heights | Locksmith | |
| 1992 | Crossing the Bridge | Manny Goldfarb | |
| 1993 | The Cemetery Club | Al | |
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry | Max |
