On August 28th, 2013 at the age of 91 Murray passed away, ending a remarkable multifaceted career.
During his life, Murray had been a cab driver, bakery manager, opera singer, synagogue cantor and a husband and father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
But Murray was best known for his two remarkable careers:
Murray or "Music Man Murray" as he and his Los Angeles record store were both known, offered a record collection for sale like no other anywhere else in the world. Murray had over one quarter of a million records on the shelves of his two story shop and in nearby warehouses!
"Music Man Murray" Murray Gershenz
He had begun collecting records when he was 16 years old and never stopped. For Murray loved music: listening to it, buying it, selling it and discussing it.
But starting in the 1980's technology threatened his business with the advent of CD's and in recent years, music downloads from the Internet. But Murray kept buying and selling, and he owned one of the greatest vinyl record collections anywhere.
Then 12 years ago, as Murray's 80th birthday approached, another dream seized him. At this advanced age, he enrolled in comedy classes to become a comedic actor.
His dream came true when a Hollywood casting director saw him perform and he was cast as "Uncle Funny" on "Will & Grace," a highly popular sitcom syndicated all over the world.
That was the start of a comedy career that cast him in TV shows including "House," "Mad-Men," "Modern Family," "Parks and Recreation," "Raising Hope," and "The Sarah Silverman Program."
Murray was also cast in such movies as "I Love You, Man," "The Hangover" and "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," and he was a guest on "The Tonight Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
As a successful character actor, Murray was now ready to sell his record collection.
In 2013 Murray sold the collection to a New York buyer. It took four 52 foot long tractor-trailer trucks to haul all those records 3,000 miles from Los Angeles.
The New York Times quoted Murray as saying, "A man came in with money, enough money. And it seemed like he was going to give it a good home." This of course put Murray's mind at ease.
Murray is survived by his three children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife of over 40 years, Bobette passed away in 1999. He is also survived by the many people who enjoy his comical movie and TV performances.
