The Tragic Death That Changed ‘Barney Miller’
What To Know
- Jack Soo, who played Detective Sergeant Nick Yemana on Barney Miller, was a beloved cast member known for his comedic timing and kindness on set.
- Soo was diagnosed with esophageal cancer during the show’s fourth season, leading to his absence from several episodes and his eventual death in January 1979.
- The show honored Soo by not recasting his role and airing a special tribute episode, marking a significant and emotional shift in the series’ tone.
When Barney Miller premiered in 1975, it quickly distinguished itself from other shows of its era. The first workplace comedy about police officers, it has a unique, brisk comedic tone that set it apart — snappy banter among the cops inside their worn New York City precinct was one of its trademarks.
One of its main characters was Detective Sergeant Nick Yemana, played by Jack Soo, whose perfectly timed one-liners made him indispensable to the show’s rhythm. While he became a fan favorite, he was reportedly equally respected and admired on set for his professionalism and his kindness toward cast and crew.
By the show’s fourth season, however, things got serious. Soo, a longtime smoker, had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer during the 1977 to 1978 season. As his health declined, he missed the final five episodes of that year, an absence that viewers noticed immediately. When he returned for the beginning of season five, his appearance reflected the toll the illness had taken.
Everett Collection
Despite treatment, the cancer progressed quickly. Soo continued working as long as he was able. His final appearance aired on November 9, 1978, in an episode titled “The Vandal.” In a moment that feels bittersweet in hindsight, Yemana delivers the episode’s final line, quietly stating, “I have nothing to add.”
Soo sadly died on January 11, 1979, at age 61. His death marked the first time Barney Miller lost a core cast member, and the loss was felt deeply both on screen and off.
Rather than recast the role, the series chose to acknowledge the loss directly. A later episode featured a montage of Soo’s scenes, intercut with cast members appearing as themselves, sharing personal memories of their friend and colleague. The tribute concluded with the cast raising their coffee cups in silence. The show continued successfully for several more seasons, but the tone shifted, as it would never be the same without Soo.
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1970s Fall TV
September 2023
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