Fyvush Finkel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fyvush Finkel
Finkel on the red carpet at the 1994 Emmys
Born	Philip Finkel (1922-10-09)October 9, 1922 Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	August 14, 2016(2016-08-14) (aged 93) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1931–2016
Television	Picket Fences Boston Public
Spouse(s)	Trudi Lieberman ​ ​ (m. 1947; died 2009)​
Children	2
Awards	Emmy Award (1994)

Philip "Fyvush" Finkel (born October 9, 1922 – died August 14, 2016) was a famous American actor. He was well-known for his work in Yiddish theater, which is a type of theater where plays are performed in the Yiddish language. Fyvush Finkel also became very popular for his role as the lawyer Douglas Wambaugh in the TV show Picket Fences. For this role, he won an Emmy Award in 1994. Later, he played Harvey Lipschultz, a history teacher, in the TV series Boston Public.

Growing Up: Fyvush Finkel's Early Life

Philip Finkel was born at home in Brownsville, Brooklyn, a neighborhood in New York City. He was the third of four sons. His parents, Mary and Harry Finkel, were immigrants from Eastern Europe. His mother was from Minsk, Belarus, and his father was a tailor from Warsaw, Poland. Philip later chose the stage name "Fyvush," which is a common Yiddish name.

Fyvush Finkel's Acting Career

Fyvush Finkel started acting when he was just 9 years old. For almost 35 years, he performed in the busy Yiddish theaters of Manhattan's Lower East Side. He also worked as a standup comedian in the Catskills, a popular vacation area.

From Yiddish Theater to Broadway

When Yiddish theaters became less popular in the early 1960s, Finkel moved to Broadway theatre. His first Broadway show was the original 1964 production of Fiddler on the Roof. He joined the cast in 1965 as Mordcha, the innkeeper. This show ran for many years.

Later, in 1981, Finkel played Lazar Wolf, the butcher, in a special Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. He even played the main character, Tevye the milkman, for years in the national touring company.

Off-Broadway and Awards

After Fiddler on the Roof, Finkel took on the role of Mr. Mushnik in the Off-Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors. In 1988, he earned an Obie Award for his work in the play Cafe Crown. He was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award. These awards showed how talented he was on stage.

Fyvush Finkel on TV and in Movies

Finkel's first movie was a Yiddish comedy called Monticello, Here We Come in 1950. He had small parts in TV shows like Kojak and the miniseries Evergreen. In 1986, he returned to films with Off Beat. That same year, he appeared with Robin Williams in a TV adaptation of Seize the Day. He also acted in the movie Brighton Beach Memoirs.

His role as a lawyer in the movie Q & A (1990) led to a big break. TV producer David E. Kelley cast Finkel as public defender Douglas Wambaugh in the TV series Picket Fences. This show aired from 1992 to 1996. In 1994, Finkel won an Emmy Award for this role. He famously said at the awards ceremony that he had waited 51 years for that moment.

After Picket Fences ended, Finkel joined the TV show Fantasy Island. He then worked with David E. Kelley again on Boston Public (2000–2004), playing history teacher Harvey Lipschultz.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Finkel appeared in movies like Nixon and The Crew. He also guest-starred on TV shows such as Chicago Hope, Law & Order, and Early Edition. He even lent his voice to animated shows like The Simpsons and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. In 2009, he was in the film A Serious Man, and in 2013, he appeared in Blue Bloods.

Finkel continued to perform on stage in shows like Fyvush Finkel: From Second Avenue to Broadway (1997). He also acted in the historical play New Jerusalem in 2007.

Fyvush Finkel's Family Life

Fyvush Finkel was married to Trudi Lieberman from March 1947 until she passed away in 2009. They had two sons. Their son Ian became a musical arranger and played the xylophone. Their other son, Elliot, became a concert pianist.

Fyvush Finkel passed away in Manhattan on August 14, 2016. He was 93 years old and had heart problems.

Awards and Recognition

• American Comedy Award for his role in Picket Fences (1993)
• Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Picket Fences (1993–94)
• Obie Award for his performance in Cafe Crown (1988–89)

Filmography

Movies Fyvush Finkel Acted In

TV Shows Fyvush Finkel Appeared In

See also

In Spanish: Fyvush Finkel para niños