Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Barton Fink,” released in 1991, is the film Lerner is most remembered for. "I had auditioned for Joel and Ethan before, for Miller’s Crossing.

Michael Lerner, a veteran character actor who received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 1991 film "Barton Fink," has died. He was 81.

Michael Lerner, who appeared in “Elf,” “Godzilla” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and earned an Oscar nomination for 1991’s “Barton Fink,” has died.

Michael Lerner, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “Barton Fink” and played diverse character roles in film and on television, died Saturday. He was 81.