Jason Alexander

Jay Scott Greenspan (born September 23, 1959), known by his stage name Jason Alexander, is an American actor, voice actor,, singer, comedian and director.

Alexander is best known for his role as George Costanza in the television series Seinfeld. Other well-known roles include Phillip Stuckey in the film Pretty Woman (1990) and the title character in the animated series Duckman (1994-1997).

Alexander has had an active career on the stage, appearing in several Broadway musicals, including Jerome Robbins's 1989 Broadway, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical.. He appeared in the Los Angeles production of The Producers. He was the artistic director of 'Reprise! The Best of Broadway in Los Angeles & # 34;, where he has directed several musicals.

Early Years

Alexander was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Jewish parents Ruth Minnie (née Simon), a nurse and health care administrator, and Alexander B. Greenspan, an accounting manager whose first name Jay later borrowed for Create your stage name. He has a half sister, Karen Van Horne, and a half brother, Michael Greenspan. Alexander grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, graduating in 1977 from Livingston High School. He attended Boston University, but dropped out the summer before his senior year, after working in New York City. At Boston University, Alexander wanted to pursue classical acting, but a professor redirected him toward comedy after noting his physique, commenting, "I know your heart and soul are Hamlet, but you'll never play Hamlet." 3. 4;. He was awarded an honorary degree in 1995. He is a practicing magician, and switched to acting as a career only after deciding that he was unlikely to succeed professionally in a magic career.

Acting Career

Stage career

Alexander began his acting career on the New York stage and is an accomplished singer and dancer. On Broadway he appeared in Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, Kander & Ebb, Neil Simon's Broadway Bound, Accomplice and Jerome Robbins's Broadway , for which he won the 1989 Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a musical Returning to the stage in 2003, Alexander was cast in a successful run, opposite Martin Short, in the Los Angeles production of Mel Brooks The Producers.

Alexander also appeared with Kelsey Grammer in the 2004 musical adaptation of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, playing Jacob Marley in Grammer's Ebenezer Scrooge. He continues to appear in live shows, including Barbra Streisand's memorable birthday party for Stephen Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl, in which he appeared with Angela Lansbury, performing selections from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Alexander was recently appointed Artistic Director of Reprise Theater Company in Los Angeles, where he previously directed Sunday in the Park with George. He is slated to direct the upcoming Damn Yankees revival in Reprise. In 2015, he replaced Larry David as the lead in David's Broadway play, Fish in the Dark. Alexander co-starred with Sherie Rene Scott in the September 2017 world premiere of John Patrick Shanley's The Portuguese Kid at the Manhattan Theater Club.

Television

Alexander is best known for being one of the key cast members of the award-winning television sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), in which he played the clumsy but lovable George Costanza (the best friend of Seinfeld character from childhood). Alexander was nominated for seven (7) Primetime Emmy Awards and four (4) Golden Globe Awards for his performance as Costanza, but did not win any, mainly due to co-star Michael Richards being nominated and won for his role as Cosmo Kramer. However, he did win a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for his work.

Prior to Seinfeld, he starred in a John Deere commercial and in a short-lived CBS sitcom called Everything's Relative in 1987 that ran for ten episodes. Concurrent with his role on Seinfeld, Alexander provided the voice of the title character in the cult animated series Duckman (1994–1997). Alexander voiced Catbert, the evil HR manager, in the short Dilbert animated series based on the popular comic strip.

Alexander made appearances on the second season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, playing himself, and appeared on the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm along with the other three members main cast of Seinfeld. He participated in the ABC sitcom Dinosaurs, as Al & # 34;Sexual & # 34; Harris (who often engaged in sexual harassment), as well as other voices. Despite a successful career in film and theater, Alexander never managed to repeat his level of success on television from Seinfeld. 2001 marked his first post-Seinfeld return to prime-time television: the ABC sitcom Bob Patterson (which was canceled after five episodes). Alexander partially blames the lack of success on the country's post-9/11 mood.

His second lead in a television series, the CBS sitcom Listen Up! (September 20, 2004-April 25, 2005), also fell short in a second season. Alexander was the main executive producer of the series, based very loosely on the life of popular sports media character Tony Kornheiser. Alexander appeared on the Family Guy: Live in Vegas CD and sang a verse in a song. He appeared in the Friends episode & # 34;The One Where Rosita Dies & # 34; as a suicidal supply manager named Earl. Phoebe calls him trying to sell him toner and she finds out about his problem and tries to talk him out of committing suicide. This is mentioned in an episode of Malcolm in the Middle where Alexander appears as a neurotic, judgmental loner named Leonard. He describes himself as free and mentions that he earns money with a job "selling toner over the phone." Later in the episode, he is repeatedly harassed by a man named George, the name of his character on Seinfeld. Alexander appeared in the 1995 television version of the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie, as Conrad Birdie's agent, Albert Peterson. He guest-starred in episode 8 of the 1996 variety show Muppets Tonight.

Alexander appeared in Star Trek: Voyager in the episode "Think Tank" playing an alien genius named Kurros who was trying to get Seven of Nine to serve on his ship. He appeared in & # 34; One Night at Mercy ", the first episode of The Twilight Zone revival in 2002, playing Death. He appeared in the 2005 Monk episode, & # 34; Mr. Monk and the Other Detective', as Monk's rival, Marty Eels. On the June 26, 2006 episode of the Jimmy Kimmel Live! talk show, Alexander demonstrated various self-defense techniques. He was the host of the July 230, 2006, PBS Fourth of July Celebrations & # 34;A Capitol Fourth & # 34; in Washington D.C., in which he sang, danced and played tuned drums. In 2006, Alexander joined the role of a regular cast member on the second season of Everybody Hates Chris. Alexander hosted actor William Shatner's Comedy Central Roast on August 13, 2006 (first aired: August 20, 2006). In 2007, Alexander guest-starred in the third episode of the improv comedy series Thank God You're Here. He is a frequent guest and panelist on the Bill Maher shows Politically Incorrect and Real Time ; Hollywood Squares; the Late Late Show, with Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson; and the late show with david letterman.

In 2008, Alexander guest-starred on the CBS show Criminal Minds in the fourth season episode "Masterpiece" as Prof. Rothschild, a well-bred serial killer obsessed with the Fibonacci sequence who sends the team into a race against time to save his latest victims. He returned in the same season to direct the episode & # 34; Conflicted & # 34;, with actor Jackson Rathbone. In 2011, Alexander guest-starred in an episode of Harry's Law, playing a high school teacher filing a wrongful dismissal lawsuit. In 2018, Alexander played Olix the bartender in The Orville Season 2 Episode 1.

Movies

In addition to his roles as a cold-hearted, money-hungry lawyer in Pretty Woman, co-starring with Richard Gere, and inept ladies' man Mauricio in Shallow Hal, with Jack Black, Alexander has appeared in Love! Courage! Compassion!, Dunston Checks In, Love and Action in Chicago, The Last Supper and the psychological horror film Jacob's Ladder. He voiced the gargoyle Hugo in the 1996 Disney animated feature The Hunchback of Notre Dame and its direct-to-video sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II. His other Disney voice work includes House of Mouse and the video game Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. He has dabbled in directing, beginning with 1996's For For or or Worse and 1999's Just Looking. He also played toymaker AC Gilbert in the 2002 film The Man Who Saved Christmas. In 2009, Alexander had a small role in the film Hachi: A Dog's Tale as a manager of a train station, alongside his co-star from Pretty WomanRichard Gere. Alexander starred in a rather bizarre movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner! as Cosmo.

Other work

Alexander appears in the music videos "Celebrity" and "Online" by country music star Brad Paisley, the latter of which he directed and won the Country Music Association's 2007 Video of the Year Award. In August 2012, she co-starred in the music video 'Trying Not to Love You'. Nickelback with former Baywatch star Brooke Burns.

In January 1995, Alexander made a commercial for Rold Gold pretzels to air during the Super Bowl. The commercial shows him with the dog Frasier "Eddie" jumping from a plane with a parachute over the stadium. After the commercial, the audience returns to a supposed "live broadcast" from the startled sportscasters as Alexander and the dog land on the field to wild applause.

In the summer of 2005, he appeared with Lee Iacocca in commercials for DaimlerChrysler. Iacocca made the announcements as part of a way to raise money for Dr. Denise Faustman's research into curing autoimmunity. Both Lee Iacocca and Jason Alexander have had loved ones whose lives have been negatively affected by autoimmunity. One of Alexander's first television roles was in a McDonald's commercial, the McDLT, in which he sings. He has appeared in commercials for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), including one with San Francisco Giants baseball superstar Barry Bonds and another alongside The Bachelorette's Trista Rehn.

It was rumored that he no longer appears in these commercials due to alleged cruelty to animals by KFC's suppliers and slaughterhouses, but he refuted that in the August 2, 2006 issue of Adweek. Alexander said: 'That's PETA bullcrap. I loved working for KFC. My goal was PETA to negotiate something between them. I think KFC really stepped up to the plate; unfortunately PETA didn't.

He performed an act of mentalism and magic at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, from April 24 to 30, 2006, and was later named the Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year for this act. Alexander had previously received the Academy's Minor Achievement Award in 1989. Alexander was the national spokesperson for the Scleroderma Foundation, a leading organization dedicated to raising awareness of the disease and helping the afflicted. Alexander voiced the character Abis Mal in The Return of Jafar and the television series based on Disney's 1992 animated film, Aladdin.

Jason Alexander guest starred in Malcolm in the Middle as a smart but obnoxious individual (Lenard) that Malcolm meets at the park. He earns money as a telephone salesman and spends his time playing chess in the park. Malcolm, afraid of ending up like Lenard, tries to get him to change his attitude and get a full-time job. In 2007, Alexander appeared in an ASPCA commercial, which aired on cable television stations. In 1987, Alexander appeared in a Miller Lite commercial, with Yogi Berra as the celebrity, speaking about Miller Lite using his singular malapropism eloquence, sitting at a bar with many others, including a young Jason Alexander standing behind his left shoulder. from Berra.

In 2009, Alexander provided voices in Thomas Nelson's audio Bible production known as The Word of Promise. In this dramatized audio, Alexander played the character of José. The project featured a large cast of well-known Hollywood actors, including Jim Caviezel, Lou Gossett Jr., John Rhys-Davies, Jon Voight, Gary Sinise, Christopher McDonald, Marisa Tomei, and John Schneider.

Poker Career

Alexander playing at Annie Duke's charity event at the 2009 World Series of Poker

Alexander with Alan F. Horn in May 2010

In recent years, Alexander has also competed on televised poker shows and in various tournaments. He has appeared twice on Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, winning the final table of season eight. Alexander won the $500,000 prize for the charity of her choice, The United Way of America, to help benefit the New Orleans area. Alexander played in the main event of the 2007 World Series of Poker, but was eliminated on the second day. He played again in 2009. He made it to Day 3 of the event, finishing in the top 30% of the field. Alexander has appeared on NBC's Poker After Dark in the episode 'Celebrities and Mentors', finishing in sixth place after being eliminated by professional poker player Gavin Smith. Alexander signed with PokerStars where he plays under the screen name 'J. Alexander".

Miscellaneous appearances

Alexander hosted LOL Sudbury's Sudbury, Ontario, Canada opening night gala on May 29, 2008, which was simulcast nationwide in 60 Cineplex theaters for the first time. time at a comedy festival. He has provided the voice of himself to several episodes of Twilight Zone Radio Dramas.

In 2008 and again in 2009, Alexander led Jason Alexander's Comedy Spectacular, a routine unique to Australia. The show consists of stand-up and improvisation and incorporates Alexander's musical talents. He is backed by a number of well known Australian comedians. The first time he performed a similar show of this nature was in 2006 for Jason Alexander's Comedy Christmas. In February/March 2010, Alexander starred in his own show, The Donny Clay Experience, at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The character of Donny Clay, which he has performed on a tour of the United States, is a self-help guru in a similar mold to his Bob Patterson character.

It was announced in July 2010 that Alexander would join the cast of Nickelodeon's films based on his series The Fairly OddParents, A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner. and a rather strange Christmas. She played Cosmo, one of Timmy Turner's fairies.

On January 6, 2010, it was announced that Alexander would be the new face of the Jenny Craig weight loss company.

Alexander stars in Nickelback's music video "Trying Not To Love You" like a coffee foam artist.

On January 6, 2015, Alexander made an appearance in a YouTube video with one of his son's popular YouTuber friends, Videogamedunkey.

In August 2018, Alexander became one of several celebrities to play Colonel Sanders in commercials for the famed chicken restaurant chain KFC, reprising his role from a 2002 ad campaign for the chain.

Personal life

Alexander has been married to Daena E. Title since May 31, 1982. They have two sons, Gabriel and Noah.

Alexander has been a prominent public supporter of the OneVoz initiative, which seeks input from moderate Israelis and Palestinians who want to achieve a mutual peace agreement between their societies. He explained in real time with Bill Maher (July 17, 2009) that he has visited Israel many times. In his appearance, he spoke about the progress towards peace that he has recently observed.

In 2012, Alexander announced his support for the re-election of President Barack Obama.

Filmography

Movies

Television

As an actor

As director

Video Games

Scenario