Aspiring actor Eric Gelman was fatally stabbed last week while walking to his car in the Fairfax district. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, Gelman was walking in the 7900 block of West 1st Street around 10 p.m. April 17 when he was stabbed in the back. He had just completed his shift at the Marmalade Cafe, where he worked as a waiter. Shortly thereafter he was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. According to the Times, detectives believe the motive for the stabbing was robbery. Authorities did not return Back Stage West's calls by press time.
Selwyn Yosslowitz, one of the owners of Marmalade Restaurants, described Gelman as "a very happy guy, always smiling, very considerate of people." The actor moved to Los Angeles from Miami, Fla., and had worked at the Marmalade Cafe for two years, said Yosslowitz. In February, Gelman guested on the USA Network show Monk as a paparazzi photographer. Yosslowitz said Gelman also attended acting school in New York, where he appeared in a number of plays.
"It's a tragic loss for us all--for his family and for his friends and everyone that knew him," said Yosslowitz. "Customers, employees--everyone adored him."
Gelman's agent at Abrams Artists Agency did not return BSW's call for comment by press time.
Police have released a composite sketch of the suspect. The suspect is described as a 35- 40-year-old black male with a beard who wore dark clothing and a hat. Anyone with further information should contact Wilshire Homicide detectives Cade or Holguin at (213) 473-0551. On weekends or off-hours, call the 24-hour toll-free number at the Detective Information Desk: (877) 529-3855.