Jason Alexander:
Actors' Actor!
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 7:30 - 9:30pm
with Martin Short
(Doors open at 7 p.m. and close at 7:30pm)
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
120 Madison Avenue
(Between 30th and 31st Streets)
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RSVP for this event to conversations@sag.org. Please indicate the date you are RSVPing to. You must include your name (as listed by SAG), SAG ID number, phone number and the date of the event. No admittance without reservations. Reservations will be accepted until seats are filled.
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Monday, October 21
Los Angeles
For Jason Alexander, nine seasons as hapless schlep George Costanza on NBC's "Seinfeld" have been the crowning glory to a 25-year career on stage, screen and television. With looks that can be pitiful, sympathetic, charming, devious, and even unscrupulous Ð combined with an equally malleable talent — this multi-Award-winning actor is in little danger of being stereotyped, however. For his portrayal of George, Alexander has earned six Emmy and four Golden Globe nominations, an American Television Award and two American Comedy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series. The Screen Actors Guild went one step higher and knighted him Best Actor in a Comedy Series despite his role as a supporting actor.
Tony-winning actor Alexander will join Martin Short and the Los Angeles cast of Mel Brooks' hit musical The Producers next year. Alexander will play the role of Max Bialystock. The eight-month run begins May 2nd at the Pantages Theatre.
Alexander was most recently seen in ABC's "Bob Patterson," Twenthieth Century Fox's SHALLOW HAL, written and directed by the Farrelly Brothers and in Universal's ROCKY & BULLWINKLE as 'Boris Badenov' the live action/CGI special effects combo also starring Rene Russo and Robert De Niro. Alexander recently directed the independent film, JUST LOOKING, set in the 50's about young boys coming of age. JUST LOOKING stars Patti LuPone, Gretchen Mol and Ryan Merriman with Jean Doumanian as the producer. The film was released in theatres by Sony Pictures Classics.
Alexander continues to defy an easy pigeonhole and during "Seinfeld" he completed filming two diverse projects. In the realm of film, he starred in the 1998 independent dark comedy DENIAL that answers the question " Does monogamy really exist?" Alexander portrays a cynical, semi-successful novelist who plants the seed of doubt into three seemingly happy couples. He also starred as Lionel (the prince's valet) in ABC's version of "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" along with Whitney Houston, Brandy and Whoopi Goldberg.
One of the most versatile actors around, Alexander is also making waves as a director. His first effort behind the camera, for an episode of "Seinfeld," was nominated for a DGA Award
in 1993. Alexander's film debut was Castle Rock's romantic comedy FOR BETTER OR
WORSE, in which he also starred opposite Lolita Davidovich and James Woods. Some of his latest directing efforts were a 1997 episode of AMC's "Remember Wenn" and "JUST LOOKING."
Born and raised in New Jersey, Jason Alexander first found an audience among his classmates, entertaining them in an effort to distract from his chubbiness. At sixteen he earned his first professional job when he was spotted in a children's theater group and was asked to perform on a local New York children's program. Two years later he landed his first film — THE BURNING, horror yarn produced by Harvey Weinstein — while studying acting at Boston University. In 1995, Alexander returned to Boston University to receive an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts.
Alexander has appeared on the big screen in BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, MOSQUITO COAST, JACOB'S LADDER, WHITE PALACE, CONEHEADS, BLANKMAN, THE LAST SUPPER and the Academy Award-nominated live-action short film DOWN ON THE WATERFRONT. His most memorable roles include those in Rob Reiner's NORTH, Ron Howard's THE PAPER, and as Richard Gere's villainous lawyer in PRETTY WOMAN. As a leading man he has brought his comedic flair to starring roles in I DON'T BUY KISSES ANY MORE and DUNSTON CHECKS IN. In 1997 he garnered exceptional reviews for his wonderful portrayal of Buzz in the film version of Terrance McNally's Tony Award-winning play LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!
A lover of theater, Alexander made his Broadway debut in the Hal Prince/Stephen Sondheim show Merrily We Roll Along. He later starred on Broadway in Rupert Holmes' Accomplice, Neil Simon's Broadway Bound and The Rink with Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera. In 1989 his theatrical capstone came in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, for which he won a Tony, an Outer Critics and Drama Desk Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. Alexander also authored the narration of the show, which itself won a Tony for Best Musical. As a loving tribute to Gilda Radner, Alexander and Julia Louis Dreyfus performed benefit readings in 1994 of Alan Zweibel's Bunny Bunny. In Los Angeles, he received unanimous kudos and a Dramalogue Award for his portrayal of Harry Truman in the one-man play Give 'Em Hell Harry and starred in Promises, for Reprise! Broadway's Best in Concert. Most recently, he will star opposite Peter Falk in Lee Kalcheim's Defiled at Geffen Playhouse.
Among his television work, Alexander starred in the CBS series " Everything's Relative," the Elliot Gould comedy series "E.R.," the mini-series "Favorite Son," ABC's version of "Bye Bye Birdie" opposite Vanessa Williams hosted "Saturday Night Live," and earned an Emmy nomination for a supporting guest spot on HBO's "Dream On." Alexander never ceases to surprise us, revealing an even broader range with song-and-dance numbers for "The Comedy Hall of Fame," "The Kennedy Center Honors," and "The 1994 Emmy Awards," (for which he was nominated for an American Comedy Award) and as a co-host of "The 1995 Emmy Awards" with Cybill Sheperd. Most
recently, he performed with the Boston Pops on PBS and with the orchestra again at Carnegie Hall.
Alexander's voice has become equally as famous in animated features and television series. For four seasons, he starred in USA Network's critically acclaimed adult animation series "Duckman" and has provided guest chords in "Aladdin," featured voice work in "The Return of Jafar" and "Hercules" as well as Hugo the gargoyle in Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. In the commercial realm, the actor has lent his image to numerous campaigns, most notably as "The Amazing Pretzel Boy," for Frito Lay's award-winning Rold Gold pretzels.
Donating his time to many charitable causes, the one closest to his heart is serving as spokesperson for the United Scleroderma Foundation, given his own sister suffers from Scleroderma, a life threatening disease of the vascular and immune systems that primarily affects women. Admittingly he misses the New York Theater community, but he now calls Los Angeles his home, where this multi-talented actor/director/producer/ writer/singer/dancer lives with his wife Daena and their sons Gabriel and Noah.
Name: Carolyn Cable
CA
Comments: Jason Alexander's evening gave performers in attendance a keen insight into Mr. Alexander and his approach to his art. He was generous in sharing his experiences and knowledge having reached a top tier in the acting field. This was an event that I was happy to attend. Thank you. Todd Amorde advances the dialog fostering friendly relations between the guest and audience members and Bob Nuchow is doing a great job recruiting high profile guest speakers to the "Conversations" events. Sincerely, Carolyn Cable.
Name: Jared Blume
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Comments: Jason, you were terrific, You have given me much joy and INSPIRATIION through the years. I appreciate your participation in tonight's workshop. I am sure your words of wisdom will help me in many ways.
Name: Jodi Fleisher
Location: LA, CA
Comments: Thank you so much. These are wonderful! I really learn so much.
Name: Joe Russell
Location: Burbank, CA
Comments: Jason was great. Good Job Bob!
Name: Desmond James
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Comments: EXCELLENT!
Name: Belinda Berdes
Location: CA
Comments: I just knew that you were going to say "Illusions" is the book that most influence you. I know that sounds odd, but
you are so happy & empowered. You made me laugh tonight & taught me a few things too. Thank you for coming!
Name: Andrew Goldenberg
Location: LA, CA
Comments: Everything was great. Very beneficial and completely worthwhile!
Name: Adam Briggs
Location: Toluca Lake, CA
Comments: Very intelligent, informative speaker
Name: Oscar Alvarez
Location: Irvine, CA
Comments: Amazing
Name: Brenda Cox
Location: Sky Forest, CA
Comments: Jason was great! I've been to several of these evenings. This might be my favorite!
Name: Celine Ingversen
Location: CA
Comments: Jason, Since I saw my first (New York) Broadway show EVER this July, I haven't had the privalege to see you on stage -
but George Costanza still inspires many conversations about - well, basically the "nothings" that we all end up
talking about! You are an inspiration and I wish you continuing success and challenges.
Name: Christiann Michel Adams
Location: CA
Comments: Boy, did I learn a lot from you tonight! Thanks for your honesty!
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