George Steinbrenner: The Actor

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died Tuesday. He was 80 years old.

Starting in 1973 when he purchased the team, Steinbrenner crossed over into popular culture through his TV appearances and commercials. His various appearances on TV have helped build his reputation as the  boastful, willful owner of the biggest team in Major League Baseball.

Here's a look at some of his memorable TV appearances:

• Lite beer commercial.

In the '70s Steinbrenner and Yankees on-again-off-again manager Billy Martin poked fun at their tumultuous relationship in a commercial for Lite beer from Miller.

In the ad Martin says he likes the beer because "It's less filling." While Steinbrenner says the beer is best because "It tastes great." In the end Steinbrenner says to Martin, "You're hired." Martin replies "Not again."

• Seinfeld.

In 1996 Steinbrenner made an actual appearance on "Seinfeld" in a episode where he decides that he and was going to accompany Elaine to George's wedding. "Seinfeld" continued to use Steinbrenner in the show, but only showing "The Boss" from behind or obstructed. "Steinbrenner's" character was played by Larry David.

• Visa commercial.

In 2006 Steinbrenner appeared with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in a spot for VISA. He asks Jeter "How can you afford ... to spend nights carousing with your friends?"

Saturday Night Live

Steinbrenner also appeared on Saturday Night Live numerous time. According to his IMDB page, Steinbrenner hosted the season opener of the comedy show in 1990.

In that episode Steinbrenner played in several skits including "Carl's Quick Stop" where The Boss played the store manager Carl who couldn't bring himself to fire any employee ( according to snltranscripts ).

"Why? Where is it written if you don't get results right away, you fire people?" asked Carl. "What kind of asinine policy is that?

You can't have people worried all the time that they'll be fired if they make one mistake. That's lunacy! Only a jackass would run his business that way! A stupid owner! A stupid, arrogant, shortsighted owner. The kind of guy who blames everybody but himself! How would you like it everytime something went wrong, I just blamed you, the supervisor, huh? Let's just fire the supervisor! Then I'll hire some other guy, and something would go wrong and I'd fire him, and I'd probably rehire you! Then fire you again, bring in someone else, then fire him and rehire you again! Then fire and hire, back and forth until the whole thing's just a big joke! Is that the kind of owner you want? Some yammering nincompoop in a fancy suit? No way you take that road, 'cause before you know it, you'll probably be banned from running the entire company."
 

Steinbrenner also made the leap to the big screen when he has a cameo appearance as himself in the 1994 baseball movie " The Scout ".