Born in Detroit, MI; trained at the American Theater Wing and Actors Studio in New York City. Blonde, often mustachioed, and scruffy character player best known as part of John Cassavetes's informal clan of actors. After studying at an acting workshop taught by Cassavetes, Cassel served as associate producer on his directorial debut, SHADOWS (1960) and then acted under Cassavetes's direction in TOO LATE BLUES (1962) and in almost all of his films, starring as Moskowitz, opposite Gena Rowlands, in MINNIE AND MOSKOWITZ (1971). Cassel has also been featured as a supporting actor in numerous other films including Barry Levinson's TIN MEN (1987) and as Sam Catchem in DICK TRACY (1990). Other notable (non-nominated) film credits include COOGAN'S BLUFF (1968), CONVOY (1978), HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (1992), INDECENT PROPOSAL (1993), DEAD PRESIDENTS (1995), TREES LOUNGE (1996), RUSHMORE (1998), THE CREW (2000), "61*" (TV) and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (both 2001), STEALING HARVARD and TIME & AGAIN (both 2002), THE BURIAL SOCIETY and STUCK ON YOU (both 2003), THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU (2004), LONESOME JIM, BEFORE IT HAD A NAME, MAIN STREET and SEA OF DREAMS (all 2005), THE TENANTS, PROPERTY, BEER LEAGUE and CHASING 3000 (all 2006), THE HAPPIEST DAY OF HIS LIFE, POSTAL, IRENE IN TIME, COSMIC RADIO and BEAU JEST (all 2007), and STATEN ISLAND and ROLEPLAY (both 2008). His son, Matthew Cassel, is a film editor.  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1968: FACES 1 nomination