James Karen of "Return of the Living Dead", "Poltergeist & # 39; died at age 94

This undated picture released by Rocky Schenck shows actor James Karen.(Photo: Rocky Schenck, AP)

NEW YORK (AP) – James Karen, former Chancellor of Television who later collaborated with Buster Keaton and made memorable appearances in "Poltergeist" and "The Return of the Living Dead", has passed away. He was 94 years old.

Bruce Goldstein, a friend of Karen, told the Associated Press that he had died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was fighting against respiratory diseases.

Karen's career dates back to the early days of television, when it was featured in Pathmark commercials. His many film credits include Buster Keaton's "Film," based on a screenplay by Samuel Beckett, "The China Syndrome" and "Mulholland Drive."