Harris Yulin played a pivotal supporting part in the film Training Day, a project that marked a significant phase of Denzel Washington’s career transformation. The two actors’ collaboration on this crime thriller not only impacted their professional journeys but also introduced a new chapter in how Washington was perceived in Hollywood.
Yulin and Washington’s Collaborations on Screen
Harris Yulin built his reputation through a long career that began on Broadway and transitioned into film and television, where he excelled in character roles. Among his noteworthy early appearances was the 1999 movie The Hurricane, a sports crime drama in which he worked alongside Denzel Washington, who took on the lead role. This initial joint project laid the groundwork for a future reunion.
That reunion came with 2001’s Training Day, a critically acclaimed crime-thriller film. Denzel Washington took on the intense role of Detective Alonzo Harris, a morally ambiguous LAPD officer, while Harris Yulin portrayed Doug Rosselli, a senior police official with a corrupt edge. Yulin’s Doug Rosselli was a crucial part of the story’s corrupt dynamics, complementing Washington’s own complex turn.
Training Day and Its Hollywood Impact
Training Day went on to become both a critical and commercial achievement, earning over $100 million at the box office and maintaining an 89% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s success pushed Denzel Washington’s career in a bold new direction, as his portrayal of Alonzo Harris earned him the coveted Best Actor Oscar. More importantly, the movie sparked a series of roles where Washington explored villainous or morally ambiguous characters, later seen in acclaimed titles such as American Gangster and Safe House.
The dynamic between the two actors in Training Day was especially notable, as it marked the final time Harris Yulin and Denzel Washington would collaborate on screen. Yulin’s portrayal added credibility to the film’s depiction of internal police corruption, helping facilitate Washington’s unforgettable transformation into a deeply complex antihero.
Harris Yulin’s Broader Career and Notable Works
Although his turn in Training Day was significant, Harris Yulin’s influence stretched far beyond a single film. He was celebrated for his role as Mel Bernstein, the embattled detective in Brian De Palma’s 1983 cult classic Scarface, where he shared screen time with Al Pacino’s infamous Tony Montana. Yulin was also recognized as Buddy Dieker on Netflix’s Ozark, a show led by Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, bringing gravitas to a range of eclectic roles. In television, Yulin made appearances on iconic series such as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, further cementing his status as a versatile performer across genres and formats.
Yulin’s Final Projects and Passing
Tragedy struck in June 2025, when Harris Yulin passed away at the age of 87 in New York City following a cardiac arrest. At the time, he remained active in the industry, working on the MGM+ series American Classic. The comedy reunited him with Ozark alum Laura Linney, and was described as “its beating heart” by director Michael Hoffman, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. Yulin’s contributions to his projects were recognized by his peers, highlighting the enduring impact he had on set and beyond.
He is survived by his wife, Kristen Lowman; his son-in-law, Ted Mineo; nephew, Martin Crane; and godchildren Marco and Lara Greenberg. Those close to him and audiences alike mourn his loss, reflecting on the mark he left as both an artist and a person.
The Legacy of Training Day and its Influence
The legacy of Training Day persists in popular culture, with its influence felt in countless subsequent films exploring complex protagonists and corrupt institutions. Yulin’s Doug Rosselli, though not the focal character, was integral to showcasing the intricate power struggles that shaped Denzel Washington’s character’s rise and fall. This role, coupled with Washington’s award-winning performance, forever altered the trajectory of his acting portfolio.
As new generations discover Training Day—now available for streaming in the USA—it remains a testimony to the collaborative genius of actors like Harris Yulin, Denzel Washington, and their remarkable peers. The intensity and depth both brought to their roles continue to exemplify the potent storytelling possibilities in cinema.
