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His filmography reads like a roadmap of American cinema’s most influential moments over the last half-century. From his chilling portrayal of the corrupt narcotics officer Mel Bernstein in Scarface to his authoritative presence in Training Day and his memorable turn in Ghostbusters II, Yulin brought a grounded, thoughtful reality to every character he inhabited. On television, his range allowed him to move seamlessly from the sophisticated comedy of Frasier to the dark, high-stakes drama of Ozark. In each role, he avoided the trap of the “caricature.” His characters unfolded slowly, revealing their complexities through minute details rather than grand declarations. This patience gave his work a haunting, lasting quality; his scenes tended to linger in the minds of the audience long after the credits rolled.
