Mandy Patinkin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mandy Patinkin
Patinkin in 2008
Born	Mandel Bruce Patinkin (1952-11-30) November 30, 1952 (age 72) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education	University of Kansas Juilliard School
Occupation	Actor singer
Years active	1974–present
Known for	Homeland The Princess Bride Sunday in the Park with George
Spouse(s)	Kathryn Grody ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	2

Mandel "Mandy" Bruce Patinkin (born November 30, 1952) is an American actor and singer. He is famous for his work in musical theatre, television, and movies. Mandy Patinkin has won many awards, including a Tony Award for his stage work and a Primetime Emmy Award for his TV roles. He is well-known for playing Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride and Saul Berenson in the TV series Homeland.

Early Life and Education

Mandel Bruce Patinkin, known as Mandy, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 30, 1952. His mother, Doralee, was a homemaker. His father, Lester, ran metal factories. Mandy grew up in a Jewish family with roots in Russia and Poland. He attended religious school and sang in synagogue choirs. His mother later wrote a cookbook about Jewish family recipes.

Mandy went to South Shore High School and graduated in 1970. He then studied at the University of Kansas and the Juilliard School. At Juilliard, he was classmates with actor Kelsey Grammer.

Career Highlights

Mandy Patinkin began his acting career in New York in 1975. He first appeared on stage in a play called Trelawny of the 'Wells'. He acted alongside famous stars like Meryl Streep and John Lithgow.

On Stage

Mandy Patinkin became very successful in musical theater.

• In 1979, he starred as Che in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Evita on Broadway. For this role, he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
• He also played Georges Seurat in Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George in 1984. This role earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.
• In 1991, he played Lord Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden.
• He continued to perform in many Broadway shows, including Falsettos and The Wild Party.

Patinkin starred in Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical Sunday in the Park with George (1984) based on Georges Seurat's painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte

On Television

Mandy Patinkin has had many important roles on TV.

• From 1994 to 2000, he played Dr. Jeffrey Geiger in the show Chicago Hope. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for this role in 1995. He left the show for a time to spend more time with his family.
• From 2005 to 2007, he was Jason Gideon in the crime drama Criminal Minds. He later shared that he found the show's violence difficult.
• From 2011 to 2020, he starred as Saul Berenson in the hit series Homeland. This role earned him several award nominations.
• In 2021, he joined the cast of The Good Fight.
• In 2024, he starred as Rufus Cotesworth in the mystery series Death and Other Details.

In Movies

Mandy Patinkin has also appeared in many films.

• He played Avigdor in Barbra Streisand's musical movie Yentl (1983). This role earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination.
• One of his most famous roles is Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride (1987). He played a skilled swordsman seeking revenge. His line, "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die," is very famous.

Patinkin's costume for Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride (1987)

• Other movies include Dick Tracy (1990), Wonder (2017), and Life Itself (2018).
• He has also lent his voice to animated films like Castle in the Sky (2003) and Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), where he voiced Papa Smurf.

Personal Life

Family Life

Mandy Patinkin married actress and writer Kathryn Grody in 1980. They have two sons, Isaac and Gideon. Their son Gideon has even appeared on stage with his father. The family often shares fun videos on social media.

Health and Activism

Mandy Patinkin has faced some health challenges. He had two eye surgeries in the late 1990s for a condition called keratoconus. In 2004, he was treated for prostate cancer. After his recovery, he celebrated by doing a long charity bike ride with his son.

Mandy is very involved in helping others. He describes himself as "Jewish with a dash of Buddhist." He often sings in Yiddish, a Jewish language. He has also supported various Jewish causes. He is passionate about helping refugees and has spoken about his experiences visiting refugee camps. He believes in working for freedom, justice, and a good quality of life for people everywhere.

Mandy also contributed to a children's book called Dewey Doo-it Helps Owlie Fly Again. This book helps raise money for the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

Awards and Recognition

Mandy Patinkin has received many awards for his acting and singing.

Theatre Awards

• Tony Award
  • Won: Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Evita (1980)
  • Nominated: Best Actor in a Musical for Sunday in the Park with George (1984) and The Wild Party (2000)
• Drama Desk Award
  • Nominated: Outstanding Actor in a Musical for Evita (1980), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), and The Secret Garden (1991)

Film and Television Awards

• Primetime Emmy Award
  • Won: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Chicago Hope (1995)
  • Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Homeland (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
• Golden Globe Award
  • Nominated: Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Yentl (1983)
  • Nominated: Best Actor - Television Drama Series for Chicago Hope (1994)
• In 2018, Mandy Patinkin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his television work.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre Credits

Discography

See also

In Spanish: Mandy Patinkin para niños