Dan Ziskie dead: House of Cards star dies as family pays tribute to 'remarkable talent'

Actor Dan Ziskie, famed for his gripping performances of political figures in House of Cards and Treme, has sadly died aged 80. His family confirmed that he died on 21 July in New York City due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Born in Detroit in 1944, Ziskie's path to stardom was far from ordinary. Prior to stepping into the spotlight, he was a university athlete, a freighter crewman, and even dabbled in journalism.

His acting career took off at Chicago's Second City, where he refined his skills alongside comedy greats like John Belushi. He later relocated to New York, making his Broadway debut in 1980 and featuring in productions such as Morning's at Seven, I'm Not Rappaport, and After the Fall.

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Ziskie's television career was punctuated by roles that demonstrated his range. He played Vice President Jim Matthews in the early seasons of House of Cards and financier CJ. Liguori in HBO's Treme, reports the Daily Star.

He appeared in six episodes of House of Cards from 2013 to 2017, acting alongside stars including Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright and Michael Kelly. The series won several Primetime Emmys and secured dozens of nominations and continued for six seasons.

Ziskie also played New Orleans banker and reconstruction financier C.J. Liguori in HBO drama Treme, which aired from 2010 to 2013.

He starred alongside Khandi Alexander, Rob Brown, Kim Dickens, Melissa Leo, Lucia Micarelli, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce, Jon Seda and Steve Zahn

His other notable telly appearances include Law and Order, The Blacklist, Sex and the City, and Chappelle's Show. On the silver screen, he featured in films such as The Jackal, War of the Worlds, and portrayed NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue in the 2015 film Concussion.

Beyond acting, Ziskie was a skilled photographer. His work graced major publications, and he published a photo book titled Cloud Chamber in 2017.

He is survived by his brother David, sister-in-law Cynthia, his nephews Jesse, Brett, and Austin, and their six children. His family described him as "a man of remarkable talent and a keen observer of life."

They added that he was "as vibrant and multifaceted as the characters he portrayed on stage and screen". His family wrote: “Dan was a man of remarkable talent and a keen observer of life.

"He was as vibrant and multifaceted as the characters he portrayed on stage and screen. His was a life lived with passion, a life that exemplified the beauty of pursuing one's dreams and the importance of cherishing every moment.

"Dan will be profoundly missed, yet he will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him, like a cherished character in the timeless narrative of their lives."

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