Person Biography:
Solomon Krakovsky, later known as George Hill, was born in 1922 in Seattle, Washington, to Russian-Jewish immigrants. Growing up, he developed an interest in the theater and after graduating from high school, he served in the Naval Reserve from 1940 to 1944. Following his military service, Hill began his acting career, co-starring with Marlon Brando in "A Flag is Born" and making his real acting debut in 1950 alongside Hedy Lamarr in "A Lady Without Passport".
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Hill appeared in a wide range of films and television shows, including "The Goddess", "Kiss Her Goodbye", "A Child Is Waiting", "The Slender Thread", and "Rawhide". He also guest-starred in numerous television shows, such as "Schlitz Playhouse", "Danger", "Playwrights '56", "Studio One", "Playhouse 90", "Naked City", "Espionage", "Dr. Kildare", and "Ben Casey".
Hill's career took a brief hiatus in the late 1960s when he was fired from the television series "Mission: Impossible" due to his refusal to work on Saturdays, which conflicted with his Orthodox Jewish beliefs. He spent several years selling real estate before returning to acting in the late 1970s with the TV mini-series "King".
In the 1980s, Hill appeared in a number of blockbuster films, including "It's My Turn", "Eyewitness", "Yentl", "Garbo Talks", "On Valentine's Day", "Raw Deal", and "Running on Empty". He continued to work in film and television throughout the 1990s, appearing in "The Boost", "White Palace", and "Billy Bathgate".
In 1990, Hill joined the cast of the television series "Law & Order", playing the role of District Attorney Adam Schiff. He became a fan favorite and a staple of the show, earning two Emmy nominations for his performance. Hill left the show in 2000 to retire, and was honored with a farewell appearance on "Larry King Live" alongside his co-stars.