John Rubinstein

Last updated
John Rubinstein
John Rubinstein.jpg
Rubinstein in April 2008
Born (1946-12-08) December 8, 1946 (age 78)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • composer
  • director
Years active1967–present
Spouses
(m. 1971;div. 1989)
Jane Lanier
(m. 1992;div. 2002)
Bonnie Burgess
(m. 2016)
Children5, including Jacob Rubinstein, Peter Rubinstein, and Michael Weston

John Rubinstein (born December 8, 1946) is an American actor, composer and director. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

Rubinstein is the son of Polish parents. His mother, Aniela (née Młynarska), a dancer and writer, was a Roman Catholic native of Warsaw, the daughter of conductor Emil Młynarski. His father was Polish-Jewish concert pianist Arthur Rubinstein. [3] [4] [5] [6] He attended El Rodeo Public School in Beverly Hills (K–2), Cours La Cascade in Paris, France (1954), and St. Bernard's School (3–8) and Collegiate School (New York City) (9–12) in New York City. He studied theater and music at the University of California, Los Angeles (1964–1967), and later composition at the Juilliard School in New York. [7]

Career

Theater

He made his Broadway acting debut in 1972 and received a Theatre World Award for creating the title role in the musical Pippin , directed by Bob Fosse. [1] In 1980 he won the Tony, Drama Desk, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, and Drama-Logue Awards for his portrayal of James Leeds in Mark Medoff's Children of a Lesser God , [1] directed by Gordon Davidson.

Other Broadway appearances were in Neil Simon's Fools , directed by Mike Nichols, and Herman Wouk's The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial , which earned him a Drama Desk nomination; he replaced William Hurt as Eddie in David Rabe's Hurlyburly , replaced David Dukes in David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly , and starred in Getting Away with Murder , by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, directed by Jack O'Brien, and Ragtime , by Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens. In 2014, he joined the Broadway cast of the hit revival of Pippin , directed by Diane Paulus, this time playing Pippin's father, Charlemagne; and subsequently repeated that role on the national tour throughout the United States and Japan in 2014–15.

In 2016, it was announced that he would join fellow Tony-winner Christian Borle in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Grandpa Joe, directed by Jack O'Brien. [8]

In 2023 Rubenstein starred in the one man biographical show Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground debuting Off-Broadway at the St. Clemens Theatre in New York City and subsequently touring around the US. The show portrays the former president at his home in retirement, working on his 2nd autobiography, reminiscing about his life and musing about his popularity and how he will be remembered. [9]

He taught a course in musical theater audition techniques at the University of Southern California, and directed their spring musicals. [10]

Film and television

Rubinstein's feature films include 21 Grams , Red Dragon , [2] Mercy , Another Stakeout , [2] Someone to Watch Over Me , [2] Daniel , [2] The Boys from Brazil , [2] Rome & Jewel , Jekyll, Kid Cop, Getting Straight , [2] Zachariah , [11] The Trouble with Girls , and The Car . He appears in the film Being the Ricardos as Jess Oppenheimer. [12]

Acting credits

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1969 The Trouble with Girls Princeton
1970 Getting Straight Herbert
1971 Zachariah Zachariah
1971 The Sandpit Generals Professor
1977 The Car John Morris
1978 The Boys from Brazil David Bennett
1979 In Search of Historic Jesus Jesus
1983 Daniel Robert Lewin
1987 Someone to Watch Over Me Neil Steinhart
1993 Another Stakeout Thomas Hassrick, Las Vegas District Attorney
1995 Mercy Frank Kramer
1996Kid CopStan DwerkinDirect-to-video
2002 Red Dragon Dinner Guest
2003 21 Grams Gynecologist
2006 Rome & Jewel Major Capps
2007 Sublime Dr. LichterhandDirect-to-video
2007Choose ConnorCary Evor
2015 The Atticus Institute Marcus Wheeler [13]
2021 Being the Ricardos Older Jess Oppenheimer

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1967 Dragnet Paul WhiddenEpisode: "The Grenade"
The Virginian Billy SimmonsEpisode: "The Deadly Past"
Ironside 2nd HippieEpisode: "The Leaf in the Forest"
1969 Room 222 Martin KaufmanEpisode: "The Flu"
1970 The Bold Ones: The Protectors Private KelleyEpisode: "A Thing Not of God"
1970 The Young Lawyers Dan FultonEpisode: "We May Be Better Strangers"
1970The Psychiatrist: God Bless the ChildrenTeddyTelevision film
1971 Matt Lincoln ChristopherEpisode: "Christopher"
1971Men at LawRon MartinEpisode: "Hostage"
1971 Nichols Fred BuckermanEpisode: "Paper Badge"
1971 The Psychiatrist Randell FileEpisode: "Ex-Sgt. Randell File, U.S.A."
1971 The Mod Squad Larry WheelerEpisode: "Survival"
A Howling in the Woods Justin ConwayTelevision film
1972 Something Evil Ernest LincolnTelevision film
Cannon Larry BolingerEpisode: "A Deadly Quiet Town"
The Mary Tyler Moore Show Matt, Jr.Episode: "You Certainly Are a Big Boy"
1972, 1977 The Streets of San Francisco Lindy/Walter J. Young2 episodes
Hawaii Five-O Harold/Joey Kalima2 episodes
1975All Together NowBill LindsayTelevision film
Police Woman Tommy DonlevyEpisode: "Glitter with a Bullet"
Mr. & Ms. and the Magic Studio MysteryDavidTelevision film
Wide World MysteryDavidEpisode: "Mr. & Mrs. and the Bandstand Mystery"
Movin' On Gershon SimenovEpisode: "Stowaway"
19751976 Harry O Jack Dawes/Richard Trask2 episodes
Barnaby Jones Chris Garrison/Larry Christopher2 episodes
1976The Quest: The Longest DriveWakelyTelevision film
Barbary CoastGarrisonEpisode: "The Dawson Marker"
The Rookies Dr. Richard KomanskyEpisode: "The Mugging"
The Quest Wakely2 episodes
19761980 Family Jeff Maitland12 episodes
1977Corey: For the PeopleDan CoreyTelevision film
Lou Grant Andrew MartinEpisode: "Hostages"
What Really Happened to the Class of '65? JaikEpisode: "The Girl Nobody Knew"
Wonder Woman Major DexterEpisode: "The Deadly Toys"
1978Happily Ever AfterRichyTelevision film
19781987 The Love Boat George Allison/Jack Forbes/Allan Davis4 episodes
1979 Vega$ Vance SpilroyEpisode: "Best Friends"
Roots: The Next Generations Lieutenant Hamilton Ten EyckMiniseries
The French Atlantic Affair Herb KleinfeldMiniseries
She's Dressed to KillAlan LenzTelevision film
1979, 1984 Fantasy Island Johnny Court/Donald King2 episodes
1980Make Me an OfferDr. Max WestcottTelevision film
The Silent LoversIrving ThalbergTelevision film
1981KilljoyDr. Paul TrentonTelevision film
Skokie Herb LewisohnTelevision film
1982Freedom to SpeakWilliam Lloyd Garrison/Patrick Henry/Charles Lindbergh/Rabbi Stephen WiseMiniseries
Quincy M.E. Dr. Walter RossEpisode: "Unreasonable Doubt"
1983I Take These MenDavid KoenigTelevision film
Trapper John, M.D. Hank PalmerEpisode: "Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow"
M.A.D.D.: Mothers Against Drunk DriversSteve WhiteTelevision film
Emerald Point N.A.S. Lt. Cmdr. Edwards3 episodes
1984 The Paper Chase Professor Wendell PetersonEpisode: "Judgement Day"
19841986 Crazy Like a Fox Harrison Fox35 episodes
1987 The Two Mrs. Grenvilles Bratsie BleekerTelevision film
Still Crazy Like a Fox Harrison Fox, Jr.Television film
Jake and the Fatman Brent MooreEpisode: "Happy Days Are Here Again"
1988 Highway to Heaven MatthewEpisode: "Time in a Bottle"
Hotel Cliff PhillipsEpisode: "Aftershocks"
Beryl Markham: A Shadow on the SunArthur KaneTelevision film
Sam Found Out: A Triple PlayJohnnyTelevision film
LiberaceJamieTelevision film
Matlock Carl Benedict/Dr.Douglas Clark4 episodes
1990 Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase Norman De RoinMiniseries
1991 Father Dowling Mysteries TimEpisode: "The Prodigal Son Mystery"
1992In My Daughter's NameBan WorrallTelevision film
Murder, She Wrote George FosterEpisode: "The Classic Murder"
1993The American ClockMoe BaumlerTelevision film
Frasier Phillip HaysonEpisode: "The Crucible"
Against the Grain Mr. O’BrienEpisode: "E Pluribus Unum"
1994 RoboCop Chip Chayken4 episodes
NYPD Blue Mr. BernsteinEpisode: "Double Abandando"
1994, 1996 Diagnosis: Murder Thomas Taylor/Peter Trent2 episodes
1994, 1997 Party of Five Walter Alcott2 episodes
1995 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Emmet ValeEpisode: "Metallo"
Star Trek: Voyager John EvansvilleEpisode: "The 37s"
1996 Norma Jean & Marilyn Darryl F. Zanuck Television film
Superman: The Animated Series Peterson (voice)Episode: "A Little Piece of Home" [14]
Early Edition MarcusEpisode: "The Choice"
1997 ER Dr. KennerEpisode: "Night Shift"
The Sleepwalker Killing Dr. Frank CorriganTelevision film
1998 The Practice Judge Joseph Papp3 episodes
2000 Perfect Murder, Perfect Town Rev. HoverstockTelevision film
Family Law GarwiczEpisode: "Family Values"
2001 Boston Public Judge Joseph PappEpisode: "Chapter Thirteen"
The West Wing Sen. Andy RitterEpisode: "18th and Potomac"
Gideon's Crossing Larry PalmerEpisode: "Clinical Enigma"
20012002 Angel Linwood Murrow6 episodes
2002 Judging Amy James PierpointEpisode: "Can They Do That with Vegetables?"
The District George WilsonEpisode: "Wasteland"
She Spies Senator Thomas Jefferson MitchellEpisode: "First Episode"
The Guardian Sen. Nathan Caldwell4 episodes
2002, 2004 Star Trek: Enterprise Mazarite Captain, Minister Kuvak3 episodes
2003 Without a Trace Dr. FeldmanEpisode: "Underground Railroad"
Kôkaku kidôtai: Stand Alone Complex Ernest Serano (voice)Episode: "Stand Alone Complex"
Charmed Dr. BerensonEpisode: "Cat House"
24 Secretary of State2 episodes
The Division Doctor BertmanEpisode: "Diagnosis"
The Lyon's Den Mr. WoodardEpisode: "The Other Side of Caution"
Strong Medicine Lyle LaCouerEpisode: "Prescriptions"
NCIS CIA Director BobEpisode: "Marine Down"
2004 Becker DickieEpisode: "Subway Story"
The Parkers JonathanEpisode: "She's Positive"
Friends The Doctor2 episodes
2005Amber Frey: Witness for the ProsecutionMark GeragosTelevision film
The Closer Dr. BrownEpisode: "Pilot"
Jane Doe: The Wrong FacePhil RaphaelsonTelevision film
Mrs. Harris Tarnower's Best FriendTelevision film
Barbershop Nicholas Kane3 episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Judge SchuylerEpisode: "Raw"
House M.D. Dr. AyersmanEpisode: "The Mistake"
2006 Law & Order Mr. ThurberEpisode: "Heart of Darkness"
Related Dr. ShapiroEpisode: "The Godmother"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Judge CrawfordEpisode: "The Unusual Suspect"
Cold Case Rafe GrayEpisode: "Willkommen"
Criminal Minds Hayden RawlingsEpisode: "P911"
Shark Lance HorningEpisode: "Russo"
Girlfriends Dr. Wulfberg3 episodes
20062007 Day Break Barry Colburn5 episodes
2007 Jekyll Daniel CarewMiniseries
2008 Sweet Nothing in My Ear Dr. FlyntTelevision film; uncredited
2008 Eli Stone Damon SmallsEpisode: "The Humanitarian"
2008 Dirty Sexy Money Dr. Zwerling3 episodes
2009 Supernatural CharlieEpisode: "Criss Angel Is a Douche Bag"
Brothers & Sisters Dr. Marc WilsonEpisode: "Owning It"
Numb3rs Gene EvansEpisode: "Disturbed"
Hawthorne Dr. LeeEpisode: "No Guts, No Glory"
Greek Dr. Larsen2 episodes
2009–2010 The Young and the Restless Dr. Charles Taylor12 episodes
2009–2012 Desperate Housewives Principal Hobson 7 episodes
2011 Wizards of Waverly Place Gorog4 episodes
2012 Electric City Richard "Dick" JacobsWeb series
2013 Bones Mick WarrenEpisode: "The Twist in the Plot"
2014 Jessie IvanEpisode: "Spaced Out"
2016 Legends of Tomorrow Albert Einstein Episode: "Out of Time" [15]
2017 Feud: Bette and Joan George Cukor 2 episodes
2018 Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Daniel WebsterEpisode: "The Trial of Sabrina Spellman"
Dirty John Old WilliamEpisode: "Lord High Executioner"
Mom Professor AddisonEpisode: "Pre-Washed Lettuce and a Mime"
The Orville PrefectEpisode: "All the World is Birthday Cake"
2019 Proven Innocent CliffordEpisode: "SEAL Team Deep Six"
For All Mankind Dr. MarsdenEpisode: "Rupture"
Pearson Allan SteinerEpisode: "The Donor"
Young Sheldon Rabbi SchneidermanEpisode: "Albert Einstein and the Story of Another Mary"
2020 AJ and the Queen DoctorEpisode: "Baton Rouge"
20212022 Claws Baron Axel von Reichler6 episodes

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1967 Camelot Mordred Melodyland Theatre
1972 Pippin Pippin Kennedy Center
1972-1974Broadway
1980-1982 Children of a Lesser God James Leeds
1983 The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial Lt. Barney Greenwald
1985 Merrily We Roll Along Franklin Shepard La Jolla Playhouse
1989-1990 M. Butterfly René GallimardBroadway
1989 Love Letters Andrew Makepeace Ladd III
1990 Kiss of the Spider Woman MolinaThe PepsiCo Theatre
1995 Camelot King Arthur The Muny
The Doctor is Out Martin Chisholm Old Globe Theatre
1996 Getting Away With Murder Broadway
1996-1997 Into the Woods The Baker Interact Theatre Company
1997-1998 Ragtime Tateh Shubert Theatre
1998 Meridian Arts Centre
1998-1999Broadway
2000 Enigma Variations Erik Larsen Royal Alexandra Theatre
2001 A Little Night Music Fredrik Egerman Interact Theatre Company
2006 Urinetown Caldwell B. Cladwell
2007-2008 Wicked The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Hollywood Pantages Theatre
2009 The Torch-Bearers Frederick Ritter Williamstown Theatre Festival
2010 Our Town Dr. Gibbs
2014 Pippin King Charlemagne / CharlesBroadway
2014-2016US Tour
2017-2018 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Grandpa JoeBroadway
2019 Cabaret Herr Schultz Ogunquit Playhouse
2022Eisenhower: This Piece of GroundEisenhowerLos Angeles
2023-2024New York/Maryland

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006 Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Commander [14]

Voice Work

Rubinstein has also performed in 150 Audio Books, mostly in the genres of Mystery Thriller & Suspense (94) or science fiction/fantasy (18) genres, either as a character but usually narrating the entire text. [16] He also read the part of Captain Kirk in the talking book version of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for The City on the Edge of Forever. [17]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Erickson, Hal (October 11, 2015). "John Rubinstein". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on October 17, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "John Rubinstein Filmography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. October 17, 2015. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015.
  3. Sachs, Harvey (1995). Rubinstein: A Life. Grove Press. p. 14. ISBN   978-0-8021-1579-9.
  4. Forsee, Aylesa (1969). Artur Rubinstein: King of the Keyboard. New York: T. Y. Crowell Co. p. 62. ISBN   978-0-6901-0467-7.
  5. Yuenger, James (January 19, 1987). "A Family Affair in Lodz to Remember Arthur Rubinstein". Chicago Tribune .
  6. "John Rubinstein: Fathers and Sons". YourClassical. February 20, 2015.
  7. "Notable Alumni Actors". UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  8. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (December 19, 2016). "John Rubinstein, Emily Padgett & More Will Join Christian Borle in Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  9. Haun, Harry (Oct 9, 2023). "John Rubinstein Gets Presidential In One Man Show Eisenhower This Piece Of Ground". observer.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2024.
  10. "John Rubenstein". USC School of Dramatic Arts. Archived from the original on 2009-11-26. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  11. Greenspun, Roger (January 25, 1971). "Screen: 'Zachariah,' an Odd Western" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  12. Meyer, Dan (March 30, 2021). "Tony Winners John Rubinstein and Linda Lavin Join Being the Ricardos". Playbill .
  13. Miska, Brad (December 15, 2014). "Anchor Bay's Art Enters 'The Atticus Institute' (Exclusive)". Bloody Disgusting .
  14. 1 2 "John Rubinstein (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 7, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  15. Miller, Liz Shannon (April 25, 2017). "Albert Einstein, Comedy Icon? 9 Examples of How Film and TV Depict His Lighter Side". IndieWire. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  16. "Showing results by narrator "John Rubinstein"". audible.com. Audible. Retrieved Jan 28, 2025.
  17. "HARLAN ELLISON KICKSTARTER The City on The Edge of Forever". skyboatmedia.com. Skyboat Media. Retrieved Jan 30, 2025.