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Judd Hirsch

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Judd Hirsch
Hirsch in 1967
Born
Judd Seymore Hirsch[1]

(1935-03-15) March 15, 1935 (age 89)
New York City, U.S.
EducationCity College of New York (BS)
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
OccupationActor
Years active1959–present
Spouses
Elisa Sadaune
​
​
(m. 1963; div. 1967)​
Bonni Sue Chalkin
​
​
(m. 1992; div. 2005)​
Children3
Website

Judd Seymore Hirsch (born March 15, 1935) is an American actor. He is known for playing Alex Rieger on the television comedy series Taxi (1978–1983), John Lacey on the NBC series Dear John (1988–1992), and Alan Eppes on the CBS series Numb3rs (2005–2010). He is also well known for his career in theatre and for his roles in films such as Ordinary People (1980), Running on Empty (1988), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), Uncut Gems (2019), and The Fabelmans (2022).

Hirsch has twice won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, twice won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in Ordinary People (1980) and The Fabelmans (2022), the longest gap between Academy Award nominations in history.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Hirsch was born in the Bronx, New York, to Sally (née Kitzis) (1903–1999) and Joseph Sidney Hirsch (1904–1989), an electrician.[3] Joseph was born in New York, to a German Jewish father, Benjamin Hirsch, and an English-born mother, Rosa Hirsch Benjamin, whose family were Dutch Jews.[4][5][6] Sally Hirsch was born in Russia, also to a Jewish family.[7] Judd Hirsch has a brother named Roland.[8]

He grew up in both Brooklyn and the Bronx[5] and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School[9] (in the Bronx) in 1952. He earned a degree in physics from City College of New York.[1]

After graduating from college, Hirsch served in the United States Army Reserve in 1958 at Fort Leonard Wood for six months as a surveyor.[5][10] Next Hirsch worked as an engineer for Westinghouse before he found work in the theater.[11] He studied acting at HB Studio[12] in New York City. He graduated in 1962 from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.[13]

Judd Hirsch
Starring with Kathryn Kates as the co-hosts of Small Miracles (2014), a series by Moshe Mones

Career

[edit]

Over the last several decades, Hirsch has distinguished himself in film, television, and theatre. The Los Angeles Times noted that Hirsch is "one of the very few actors who slips effortlessly from TV series to Broadway to feature films and back again, racking up awards and favorable reviews wherever he performs."[11]

After appearing frequently on television in the 1970s, including one season (1976–1977) in the series Delvecchio,[14] Hirsch gained stardom for his lead role of Alex Rieger in the popular sitcom Taxi, which ran from 1978 to 1983. For his performance in the series, Hirsch won the Emmy Award for Lead Actor In a Comedy Series in 1981 and 1983.[15] In 1999, he reprised his role from Taxi for a brief moment in Man on the Moon, the biopic of his co-star from Taxi, Andy Kaufman (portrayed by Jim Carrey).[16]

After Taxi, Hirsch played the title character on the modestly successful sitcom Dear John and in 1989 won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series in a Comedy or Musical for this role.[17] He later teamed up with Bob Newhart in the short-lived comedy George and Leo.[18]

Hirsch received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ordinary People (1980), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture that year. His other film performances from the decade include leading roles in the 1983 drama Without a Trace, the 1984 dramedies, Teachers and The Goodbye People, and the 1988 drama Running on Empty, directed by Sidney Lumet and co-starring River Phoenix. In 1996, Hirsch portrayed the father of Jeff Goldblum's character in the blockbuster Independence Day, a role that he later reprised in its 2016 sequel. In 2001, he played a Princeton University professor in the Academy Award-winning film A Beautiful Mind. Hirsch has more recently had supporting roles in acclaimed films such as The Meyerowitz Stories (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019).[19]

Hirsch co-starred on the CBS Television drama Numb3rs (2005–2010) as Alan Eppes, father of FBI agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow), and Professor Charlie Eppes (David Krumholtz). When Krumholtz was 13, he played the role of a son to Hirsch's father role in Conversations with My Father,[20] a Herb Gardner play for which Hirsch won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play.[21] Krumholtz credits Hirsch with jump-starting his career after Hirsch chose him during the audition process for Conversations.[citation needed] Other noteworthy stage performances include The Hot l Baltimore, Talley's Folly, and his starring role in I'm Not Rappaport, for which Hirsch also won a Tony Award in 1986.[14]

More recently Hirsch guest-starred on episodes of Warehouse 13, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, God Friended Me, and The Whole Truth (he reunited with Numb3rs co-star Rob Morrow), among others and lent his voice to the animated programs Tom Goes to the Mayor and American Dad! Judd has also appeared several times on the television show Maron as comedian Marc Maron's father; he has had a recurring role on The Goldbergs, playing the father of Jeff Garlin's character. In 2016, Hirsch appeared on the CBS comedy series The Big Bang Theory portraying the father of Johnny Galecki's character, Leonard.[19]

From 2014 to 2015, he appeared as a series regular on the ABC television series Forever. From 2017 to 2018, Hirsch starred in the short-lived CBS comedy Superior Donuts which lasted two seasons.[14]

In early 2020, Hirsch appeared in a scene as the historic Simon Wiesenthal, in season 1, episode 8 of the Amazon Prime Video show Hunters, which stars Al Pacino.[22] In 2023, at the age of 87, he became the second-oldest acting nominee for an Academy Award, after Christopher Plummer, for his role in Steven Spielberg's film The Fabelmans (2022). He also broke the record for the longest gap between nominations.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Hirsch was married to his first wife, Elisa Sadaune, from 1963 to 1967. Their son, Alex Hirsch, was born in 1966.[23] Hirsch married Bonni Sue Chalkin, a fashion designer, in 1992 and the couple divorced in 2005.[24] From this second marriage, Hirsch has a daughter, Montana, and son, London.[25]

Filmography

[edit]
Film[19]
Year Title Role Notes
1971 Jump Unknown Uncredited
1973 Serpico Cop Uncredited
1978 King of the Gypsies Groffo
1980 Ordinary People Dr. Tyrone C. Berger Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
1983 Without a Trace Detective Al Manetti
1984 The Goodbye People Arthur Korman
Teachers Roger Rubell
1988 Running on Empty Arthur Pope/Paul Manfield
1996 Independence Day Julius Levinson
1999 Out of the Cold Leon Axelrod
Man on the Moon Alex Rieger Uncredited cameo
2001 A Beautiful Mind Dr. Helinger Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2004 Zeyda and the Hitman Gideon Schub
2006 Brother's Shadow Leo Groden
2011 Tower Heist Mr. Simon
The Muppets Himself Cameo
This Must Be the Place Mordecai Midler
2013 Altered Minds Dr. Nathan Shellner
2016 Independence Day: Resurgence Julius Levinson
2017 The Meyerowitz Stories L.J. Shapiro
2019 Uncut Gems Gooey
2020 A Deadly Legend Carl Turner
2021 Burning at Both Ends Bertrand Known as Resistance: 1942 in some territories
2022 iMordecai Mordecai Samel
Showing Up Bill
Hollywood Stargirl Mr. Mitchell
The Fabelmans Boris Podgorny AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Nominated—St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
2024 Rally Caps Herb
Television[19]
Year Title Role Notes
1974 The Law Murray Stone Television movie
1975 The Law Murray Stone 3 episodes
1975 Fear on Trial Saul Television movie
1975 Medical Story Dr. Joe Dempsey Episode: "Waste Land"
1975 The Legend of Valentino Jack Auerbach Television movie
1976 The Keegans Lieutenant Marco Ciardi Television movie
1976 Visions Joe Morris Episode: "Two Brothers"
1977 Rhoda Mike 2 episodes: "Rhoda Likes Mike"; "The Weekend"
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series
1976–1977 Delvecchio Sergeant Dominick Delvecchio 21 episodes
1978–1983 Taxi Alex Reiger 114 episodes
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1981, 1983)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (1978–1982)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1979–1980, 1982)
1979 Sooner or Later Bob Walters Television movie
1979 The Halloween That Almost Wasn't Count Dracula Television movie
1980 Marriage Is Alive and Well Herb Rollie Television movie
1980 The Last Resort Dr. Zegelman Episode: "Zegelmania"
1981 The Robert Klein Show Unknown Television movie
1983 Lights: The Miracle of Chanukah Unknown Television movie
1985 Detective in the House Press Wyman 6 episodes
1985 First Steps Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky Television movie
1985 Brotherly Love Ben Ryder/Harry Brand Television movie
1988–1992 Dear John John Lacey 90 episodes
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (1988)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (1989)
1988 The Great Escape II: The Untold Story Capt. David Matthews Television movie
1989 PBS NOVA Himself (Host/Narrator) Episode: "The Hidden City"
1990 She Said No Martin Knapek Television movie
1994 Betrayal of Trust Dr. Jules Masserman Television movie
1996 Caroline in the City Ben Karinsky Episode: "Caroline and the Comic"
1997 Color of Justice Sam Lind Television movie
1997–1998 George and Leo Leo Wagonman 22 episodes
1999 Rocky Marciano Al Weill Television movie
2000 Welcome to New York Dr. Bob Episode: "Dr. Bob"
2001 Family Law Daniel Bonner Episode: "Security"
2002 Philly Rabbi Nathan Wexler Episode: "The Curse of the Klopman Diamonds"
2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dr. Judah Platner Episode: "Mercy"
2003 Regular Joe Baxter Binder 5 episodes; Also Producer
2003 Street Time Shimi Goldman Episode: "High Holly Roller"
2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Ben Elkins Episode: "Pravda"
2003 Who Killed the Federal Theatre Narrator Television movie
2005 Family Guy Himself (voice) Episode: "Blind Ambition"
2006 Tom Goes to the Mayor Prisoner (voice) Episode: "Spray a Carpet or Rug"
2006 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Wes Mendell Episode: "Pilot"
2009 American Dad! Rabbi (voice) 2 episodes
2005–2010 Numb3rs Alan Eppes 114 episodes
2010 Warehouse 13 Isadore Weisfelt Episode: "Secret Santa"
The Whole Truth Judge Wright Episode: "Judicial Discretion"
2011–2012 Damages Bill Herndon 14 episodes
2012 The Good Wife Judge Harrison Creary Episode: "Here Comes the Judge"
2013–2015 Maron Larry Maron 4 episodes
2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One Ben Television movie
2014–2015 Forever Abraham "Abe" Morgan 22 episodes
2014 Small Miracles Mort 4 episodes
2015–2023 The Goldbergs Ben "Pop-Pop" Goldberg 22 episodes
2016 The Big Bang Theory Dr. Alfred Hofstadter 2 episodes
2016 Family Guy Himself (voice) Episode: "Take a Letter"
2017–2018 Superior Donuts Arthur Przybyszewski 34 episodes Also: Producer
2018 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Joseph Edelman Episode: "Alta Kockers"
2018 Welcome to the Wayne Himself (voice) Episode: "Gimble in the Wabe"
2019–2021 Big Mouth Lewis Glouberman (voice) 3 episodes
2019 Modern Love Cop, Vendor, Taxi Driver Episode: "Take Me as I Am, Whoever I Am"
2020 God Friended Me Abe Episode: "A New Hope"
2020–2023 Hunters Simon Wiesenthal 3 episodes
2020 Cosmos: Possible Worlds J. Robert Oppenheimer (voice) Episode: "A Tale of Two Atoms"[26]
2023 Extrapolations David Goldblatt Episode: "2047: The Fifth Question"
Theatre[27]
Year Title Role Notes
1963 Barefoot in the Park Telephone Man
1972–1973 The Hot l Baltimore Bill Lewis Obie Award for Best Performance
1976 Knock Knock Multiple roles Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
1977–1978 Chapter Two George Schneider Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play
1980 Talley's Folly Matt Friedman Nominated—Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play
1985–1988 I'm Not Rappaport Nat Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
1992–1993 Conversations with My Father Eddie Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
1996 A Thousand Clowns Murray Burns
1998–1999 Art Marc
2002 I'm Not Rappaport Nat
2004 Sixteen Wounded Hans

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Results Ref.
1980 Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor Ordinary People Nominated [28]
2022 The Fabelmans Nominated [29]
2022 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Best Supporting Actor Won [30]
2011 Beverly Hills Film Festival Best Actor Polish Bar Won
2022 Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Supporting Actor The Fabelmans Nominated [31]
2022 Denver Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated [32]
1976 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Knock Knock Won [33]
1978 Outstanding Actor in a Play Chapter Two Nominated [34]
1980 Talley's Folly Nominated [35]
2022 Georgia Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor The Fabelmans Nominated [36]
1978 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Taxi Nominated [37]
1979 Nominated
1980 Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Ordinary People Nominated
1981 Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Taxi Nominated
1982 Nominated
1988 Dear John Won[a]
1989 Nominated
2014 Indie Series Awards Best Supporting Actor (Drama) Small Miracles Won [38]
2022 North Texas Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor The Fabelmans Nominated [39]
1979 Obie Awards Best Performance Talley's Folly Won [40]
2022 Palm Springs International Film Festival Vanguard Award The Fabelmans Won [41]
1978 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series Rhoda (Episode: "Rhoda Likes Mike") Nominated [42]
1979 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Taxi Nominated
1980 Nominated
1981 Won
1982 Nominated
1983 Won
2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture A Beautiful Mind Nominated [43]
2022 The Fabelmans Nominated [44]
2022 St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated [45]
2022 Sunset Film Circle Awards Scene Stealer Nominated [46]
1980 Tony Awards Best Leading Actor in a Play Talley's Folly Nominated [47]
1986 I'm Not Rappaport Won [48]
1992 Conversations with My Father Won [49]

Notes

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  1. ^ Tied with Michael J. Fox for Family Ties and Richard Mulligan for Empty Nest.

References

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  1. ^ a b Fisher, James (2011). Historical Dictionary of Contemporary American Theater. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 360. ISBN 9780810855328. Retrieved 4 August 2014. Born Judd Seymore Hirsch in the Bronx
  2. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (January 24, 2023). "John Williams Sets Record For Oldest Oscar Nominee; Judd Hirsch Becomes Second-Oldest Acting Nominee 42 Years After His First Nom". Deadline. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  3. ^ Database (2008). "Judd Hirsch Biography". Film Reference. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
  4. ^ "Benjamin Hirsh". United States Census, 1900. Retrieved 4 August 2014 – via FamilySearch. Benjamin Hirsh, Borough of Manhattan, Election District 12 New York City Ward 26, New York County, New York, United States; citing sheet 11A, family 189, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241112.
  5. ^ a b c Theater; Judd Hirsch Finds the Echoes in 'Conversations' The New York Times via Internet Archive. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Citron, Cynthia (29 January 2013). "A Conversation With Judd Hirsch — and Freud". LA Stage Times. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Isaac N Kitzis". Unkited States Census, 1910. Retrieved 4 August 2014 – via FamilySearch. Isaac N Kitzis, Manhattan Ward 13, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 766, sheet 16A, family 282, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375042.
  8. ^ Klemesrud, Judy (1978-01-29). "'I'm Thought of As a Fast-Talking New York Hustler' (Published 1978)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  9. ^ "Don't Let Looks or Talent Fool You: What Made These Stars Famous Were Their High Schools". People. 24 December 1979. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  10. ^ Sharbutt, Jay. "Actor Judd Hirsch has a two-coast career", Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Wisconsin, February 24, 1980, page 2, section 6. (subscription required)
  11. ^ a b Weinstein, Steve (21 November 1988). "Hirsch's Return in 'Dear John' Is Love Letter to Comedy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Alumni". hbstudio.org. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "Notable Alumni | The American Academy of Dramatic Arts". www.aada.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  14. ^ a b c Miller, Bruce (4 February 2017). "Staying fresh: Judd Hirsch says working keeps him young". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  15. ^ Emmy Awards Official Website.
  16. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Man on the Moon movie review & film summary (1999) | Roger Ebert". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  17. ^ Golden Globe Official Website 1989 awards, Archived 2007-08-27 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Scott, Tony (1997-09-21). "George & Leo". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  19. ^ a b c d "Judd Hirsch | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  20. ^ Pfefferman, Naomi (5 October 2006). "Clues to family drama's Jewish roots finally add up on 'Numb3rs'". The Jewish Journal. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  21. ^ Tony Awards Official Website.
  22. ^ "'Hunters,' A New Amazon Prime Video Series Debuts On Friday". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  23. ^ Reilly, Sue (19 December 1977). "Neil Simon and Judd Hirsch Prove American Lives Can Have Second Chapters". People. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  24. ^ Brozan, Nadine (25 December 1992). "Chronicle". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  25. ^ "Judd Hirsch Reveals He Would 'Rewrite' His Career (EXCLUSIVE)". Closer Weekly. 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  26. ^ Hersko, Tyler (November 7, 2019). "'Cosmos: Possible Worlds' to Premiere on National Geographic in 2020 — Exclusive". IndieWire. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  27. ^ "Judd Hirsch". Playbill. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  28. ^ "The 53rd Academy Awards (1981) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  29. ^ "The 95th Academy Awards (2023) | Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  30. ^ Appelo, Tim (January 28, 2023). "Complete List of AARP's Movies for Grownups Winners 2023". AARP. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  31. ^ Hammond, Pete (December 14, 2022). "'Everything Everywhere', 'Fabelmans', 'Babylon' lead Critics Choice Award Nominees for Film". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  32. ^ "2023 DFCS Awards". Denver Film Critics Society. January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  33. ^ "Nominees and Recipients – 1976 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "Nominees and Recipients – 1978 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  35. ^ "Nominees and Recipients – 1980 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  36. ^ "2022 GAFCA Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  37. ^ "Judd Hirsch". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  38. ^ "Indie Series Awards History and Winners Archive". Indie Series Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  39. ^ "2022 – North Texas Film Critics Association". North Texas Film Critics Association. 22 July 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  40. ^ "79 – Obie Awards". Obie Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  41. ^ "Palm Springs International Film Awards Presents The Fabelmans with the Vanguard Award". Palm Springs International Film Festival. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  42. ^ "Judd Hirsch". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  43. ^ "The 8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  44. ^ "The 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  45. ^ "2022 StLFCA Annual Award Winners". St. Louis Film Critics Association. December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  46. ^ "Sunset Circle Awards Year Three Winners & Nominees". Sunset Circle. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  47. ^ "1980 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  48. ^ "1986 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  49. ^ "1992 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
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