Judith Malina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judith Malina
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| Born | June 4, 1926 Kiel, Prussia, Germany
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| Died | April 10, 2015 (aged 88) Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Resting place | Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus, New Jersey |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | The New School for Social Research |
| Occupation | Actress, director, writer |
| Known for | Co-founding The Living Theatre |
| Spouse(s) |
Julian Beck
(m. 1948; died 1985)Hanon Reznikov
(m. 1988; died 2008) |
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Judith Malina (June 4, 1926 – April 10, 2015) was an American actress, director, and writer. She was born in Germany. With her husband, Julian Beck, Judith Malina helped start The Living Theatre. This was a special kind of theatre group known for its strong political messages. It became very well-known in New York City and Paris in the 1950s and 60s. A film about The Living Theatre and its founders, called Signals Through The Flames, was made in 1983.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Judith Malina was born in Kiel, Germany, in 1926. Her parents were Polish Jewish. Her mother, Rosel, used to be an actress. Her father, Max Malina, was a rabbi, a Jewish religious leader. In 1929, when Judith was three years old, her family moved to New York City.
Her parents taught her how important theatre could be for sharing political ideas. Her father wanted to warn people about the rise of the Nazis and antisemitism (hatred towards Jewish people) in Germany. This is why his family left Germany.
Judith lived in New York City for most of her life, except when she was on long tours. In 2013, she moved to the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, New Jersey. From 1943 to 1945, she worked at a place called the Beggar Bar. There, she watched many performances by Valeska Gert, which influenced her own artistic style later on.
Judith was interested in acting from a young age. In 1945, she started studying theatre at New School for Social Research. Her teacher was Erwin Piscator. Piscator believed theatre should be used for political messages. Judith Malina was very inspired by his ideas. However, unlike Piscator, Judith strongly believed in nonviolence and anarchism, which means believing in a society without a government.
Her Amazing Theatre Work
In 1963, The Living Theatre faced some legal problems related to taxes. Judith Malina and Julian Beck were found to have issues with the court. This led to the theatre having to close for a time.
In 1969, the theatre group decided to split into three smaller groups. One group worked in London, and another went to India to learn about traditional Indian theatre. The third group, which included Judith and Julian, traveled to Brazil in 1971 for a tour. They were held by the military government for two months because of political reasons.
After Julian Beck passed away from cancer in 1985, another member of the company, Hanon Reznikov, took over as co-leader. Hanon and Judith got married in 1988. In 2007, The Living Theatre opened its own building in Manhattan. Hanon Reznikov passed away in 2008.
Judith Malina also acted in movies sometimes. Her first film role was in 1975, playing Al Pacino's mother in Dog Day Afternoon. The director, Sidney Lumet, said it was Al Pacino's idea to cast her. Lumet found it hard to find her because she had moved to Vermont. He said she was a "totally professional" actress.
She also appeared in Al Pacino's film Looking for Richard. Some of her other movie roles include Rose in Awakenings (1990) and Granny in The Addams Family (1991). She had important roles in Household Saints (1993) and Nothing Really Happens (2003). She was also in an episode of the TV show The Sopranos in 2006. Judith Malina appeared in the documentaries New York Memories (2010) and Love and Politics (2012). She also had a significant role in the film Enemies, A Love Story (1989).
Personal Life and Passing
Judith Malina met Julian Beck in 1943 when she was 17. Julian, who was a painter at first, became interested in political theatre like her. In 1947, they started The Living Theatre together. They led it until Julian passed away in 1985. Judith and Julian had two children, Garrick and Isha.
In 1988, Judith married her long-time partner, Hanon Reznikov. They worked together to lead The Living Theatre's activities in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Hanon passed away in 2008.
Judith Malina passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, on April 10, 2015.
Awards and Recognitions
Judith Malina received many awards for her work in theatre.
- In 1996, she was given an honorary degree from Whittier College.
- In 2003, she was added to the American Theater Hall of Fame.
- In 2008, she received the annual Artistic Achievement Award from the New York Innovative Theatre Awards. This award honored her pioneering spirit and dedication to her craft.
- In 2009, she received the Edwin Booth Award from the City University of New York.
- She also won several Obie Awards (in 1960, 1964, 1969, 1975, 1987, 1989, and 2007), which are awards for Off-Broadway theatre.
Selected Movies
- The Bachelor Party (1957)
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975) - Mother
- Radio Days (1987) - Mrs. Waldbaum
- The Secret of My Success (1987) - Mrs. Meacham
- China Girl (1987) - Mrs. Monte
- Enemies, A Love Story (1989) - Masha's Mother
- Awakenings (1990) - Rose
- The Addams Family (1991) - Grandmama
- Household Saints (1993) - Carmela Santangelo
- The Deli (1997) - Vincenza Amico
- Music from Another Room (1998) - Clara Klammer
- Snow Day (2000) - Grammy
- When in Rome (2010) - Umberto's Grandma
- New York Memories (2010) by Rosa von Praunheim
Images for kids
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Judith Malina
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Judith Malina's signature
See also
In Spanish: Judith Malina para niños
