Lawrence Sheldon Gelman (November 3, 1930 – June 7, 2021) was an American film and television character actor.

He was known for playing Dr. Bernie Tupperman on the TV series The Bob Newhart Show[1] and Vinnie, the poker playing friend of Oscar and Felix, in the original TV series version of The Odd Couple.

[3] On television, Gelman portrayed Leo Gold in Free Country,[1]: 365  Irv Schlosser in Grand Slam,[1]: 411  Dr. Hubie Binder in Maude[1]: 668  officer Bernstein on Eight Is Enough,[citation needed] Al Clemens on Mork & Mindy.

He also was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series, for his guest-starring appearance on the episode "Goodbye, Mr.

He also had roles in Disney's Superdad (1973), The Strongest Man in the World (1975), Tunnel Vision (1976), Raid on Entebbe (1977), The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal (1979), The Frisco Kid (1979), O'Hara's Wife (1982), Dreamscape (1984), Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985), The Naked Cage (1986) and Mr. Saturday Night (1992).