Judd Hirsch
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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 Without a Trace (1983), Teachers (1984), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Tower Heist (2011), Altered Minds (2013), The Meyerowitz Stories (2017), and Hollywood Stargirl (2022).
Hirsch has twice won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, has twice won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, has 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).<ref name="Andreeva">Template:Cite web</ref>
Early life and education
Hirsch was born in the Bronx, New York, to Sally (née Kitzis) (1903–1999) and Joseph Sidney Hirsch (1904–1989), an electrician.<ref name="FilmRef">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=USCensus1900-Hirsh>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=NYTimes-Conversations-1992>Theater; Judd Hirsch Finds the Echoes in 'Conversations' The New York Times via Internet Archive. Retrieved December 1, 2021.</ref><ref name=LAStageTimes-Freud-2013>Template:Cite web</ref> Sally Hirsch was born in Russia, also to a Jewish family.<ref name=USCensus1910-Kitzis>Template:Cite web</ref> Judd Hirsch has a brother named Roland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He grew up in both Brooklyn and the Bronx<ref name=NYTimes-Conversations-1992 /> and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School<ref name=People-HighSchool-1979>Template:Cite web</ref> (in the Bronx) in 1952. He earned a degree in physics from City College of New York.<ref name=HistDictContempAmTheater-Hirsch>Template:Cite book</ref>
After graduating from college, Hirsch served in the United States Army Reserve in 1958 at Fort Leonard Wood for six months as a surveyor.<ref name=NYTimes-Conversations-1992 /><ref>Sharbutt, Jay. "Actor Judd Hirsch has a two-coast career", Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Wisconsin, February 24, 1980, page 2, section 6. Template:Subscription required</ref> Next Hirsch worked as an engineer for Westinghouse before he found work in the theater.<ref name=LATimes-DearJohn-1988>Template:Cite news</ref> He studied acting at HB Studio<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in New York City. He graduated in 1962 from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Career
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."<ref name=LATimes-DearJohn-1988 />
Film
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).<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2023, at the age of 87, Hirsch became the second-oldest acting nominee for an Academy Award after being nominated for his role in Steven Spielberg's film The Fabelmans (2022). He also broke the record for the longest gap between Oscar nominations.<ref name="Andreeva"/>
Television
After appearing frequently on television in the 1970s, including one season (1976–1977) in the series Delvecchio,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Emmy Awards Official Website.</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Golden Globe Official Website 1989 awards, Template:Webarchive</ref> He later teamed up with Bob Newhart in the short-lived comedy George and Leo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Hirsch has 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! Hirsch 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 Alfred Hofstadter, the father of Johnny Galecki's character, Leonard.<ref name=":1" />
From 2014 to 2015, Hirsch 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.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2025, he appeared alongside Linda Lavin in Mid-Century Modern, her final onscreen role before her death.<ref>Garner, Glenn (28 March 2025). ‘Mid-Century Modern’ Team Talks Linda Lavin’s “Devastating” Death, ‘Golden Girls’ Comparisons & ‘Will & Grace’ Crossover Potential Deadline. Retrieved on 30 June 2025</ref>
Theatre
Hirsch won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his work in Conversations with My Father,<ref name=JewishJournal-Numb3rs-2006>Template:Cite news</ref> a Herb Gardner play.<ref>Tony Awards Official Website.</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />
Personal life
Hirsch was married to his first wife, Elisa Sadaune, from 1963 to 1967. Their son, Alex Hirsch, was born in 1966.<ref name=People-ChapterTwo-1977>Template:Cite web</ref> Hirsch married Bonni Sue Chalkin, a fashion designer, in a Jewish ceremony on December 24, 1992.<ref name=NYTimes-Chronicle-Marriage-1992>Template:Cite news</ref> They subsequently divorced in 2005.<ref>Chilton, Louis (12 March 2023). ‘There isn’t one phony element to him’: In praise of Judd Hirsch, the 87-year-old ‘chameleon’ vying for Oscar history The Independent. Retrieved on 30 June 2025</ref> From this second marriage, Hirsch has a daughter, Montana, and a son, London.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hirsch is currently married to his third wife, actress, Kathryn Danielle Hirsch.<ref> (8 February 2023). Kathryn Danielle Hirsch will replace Marilu Henner in ‘Love Letters’ Aspen Times. Retrieved on 30 June 2025</ref>
Filmography
| 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 | Template:Sortname | 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 Template:Small Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Template:Small Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Template:Small |
| 1979 | Sooner or Later | Bob Walters | Television movie |
| 1979 | Template:Sortname | Count Dracula | Television movie |
| 1980 | Marriage Is Alive and Well | Herb Rollie | Television movie |
| 1980 | The Last Resort | Dr. Zegelman | Episode: "Zegelmania" |
| 1981 | Template:Sortname | 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 Template:Small Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Template:Small |
| 1988 | Template:Sortname | 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"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2023 | Extrapolations | David Goldblatt | Episode: "2047: The Fifth Question" |
| 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
Notes
References
External links
- Template:IMDb name
- Template:IBDB name
- Template:Iobdb name
- TonyAwards.com Interview with Judd Hirsch
- Dave Ross interview with Judd Hirsch on MyNorthwest.com
- Template:Instagram
- Pages with broken file links
- 1935 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American Jews
- 21st-century American male actors
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts alumni
- American male film actors
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- American people of Dutch-Jewish descent
- American people of German-Jewish descent
- Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe (television) winners
- City College of New York alumni
- DeWitt Clinton High School alumni
- Drama Desk Award winners
- Jewish American male actors
- Jewish American military personnel
- Military personnel from New York City
- Military personnel from New York (state)
- Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Male actors from the Bronx
- Tony Award winners
- United States Army reservists
- United States Army soldiers