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Jason Alexander

American actor (born 1959)

Jason Alexander

Summary

American actor (born 1959)

FieldValue
nameJason Alexander
imageFile:Jason Alexander - 2009 (cropped).jpg
captionAlexander in 2009
birth_nameJay Scott Greenspan
birth_date
birth_placeNewark, New Jersey, U.S.
occupation
years_active1981–present
spouse
children2
module

Jay Scott Greenspan (born September 23, 1959), known professionally as Jason Alexander, is an American actor and comedian. Over the course of his career, he has received an Emmy Award and a Tony Award as well as nominations for four Golden Globe Awards. He gained stardom for his role as George Costanza in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series and was nominated for seven consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and four Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actor in Television.

Alexander made his Broadway debut originating the role of Joe in Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along in 1981. He remained active on Broadway acting in the musicals The Rink in 1984 and the Neil Simon play Broadway Bound in 1986. He then starred in Jerome Robbins' Broadway in 1989, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. His subsequent theatre roles include the touring production of The Producers from 2003 to 2004 and replacing Larry David in the original 2015 Broadway production of Fish in the Dark. He has also directed several plays such as the original 2023 Broadway production of The Cottage.

His film roles include Pretty Woman (1990), Jacob's Ladder (1990), Coneheads (1993), The Paper (1994), Dunston Checks In (1996), Shallow Hal (2001), and Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009). He voiced the gargoyle Hugo in the Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) and the titular role in Duckman (1994–1997). He was the narrator for the documentary film Sideshow: Alive on the Inside (1999). For his role in Dream On (1994) he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.

Early life and education

Livingston High School]] in 1977

Greenspan was born on September 23, 1959, in Newark, New Jersey to a Jewish family, the son of Ruth Minnie (née Simon), a nurse and health care administrator, and Alexander B. Greenspan, an accounting manager. Greenspan later borrowed his father's first name to create his stage name, Jason Alexander.

Alexander grew up in Maplewood and Livingston, New Jersey, and is a 1977 graduate of Livingston High School. Interested in magic from an early age, he initially hoped to be a magician, but while attending a magic camp was told that his hands were too small for card magic. He became interested in theater, eventually realizing, "Wait a minute—the whole thing's an illusion. Nothing up there is real" and that theater itself was "a magic trick". He then decided to pursue a theater career.

After high school, he studied theater at Boston University. He wanted to pursue classical acting, but a professor redirected him toward comedy after noticing his physique, remarking, "I know your heart and soul are Hamlet, but you will never play Hamlet." Alexander left Boston University without a degree after his third year to take a full-time acting job in New York City. The university awarded him an honorary degree in 1995.

Career

1980–1999: Broadway debut and ''Seinfeld''

Alexander began his acting career on the New York stage and is an accomplished singer and dancer. Alexander made his film debut in 1981 in the summer camp slasher film The Burning. On Broadway he appeared in Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along in 1981, Kander & Ebb's The Rink in 1984, Neil Simon's Broadway Bound in 1986, Accomplice in 1990, and Jerome Robbins' Broadway in 1989, for which he garnered the 1989 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Frank Rich of The New York Times wrote of his performance "Jason Alexander, the evening's delightful narrator, accomplishes the seemingly impossible: he banishes the memory of Zero Mostel from the role of Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum".

In addition to his roles as an insensitive, money-hungry lawyer in Pretty Woman in 1990, Alexander has appeared in Jacob's Ladder in 1990, Coneheads in 1993, The Paper and North in 1994, The Last Supper in 1995, Dunston Checks In in 1996, Love! Valour! Compassion! in 1997, Denial in 1998, and Love and Action in Chicago in 1999. Alexander starred in several commercials during the 1980s. Among them were commercials for Hershey's Kiss; Delta Gold potato chips; Miller Lite beer; McDonald's McDLT hamburger; Pabst Blue Ribbon beer; Levi's 501 jeans; Sony Watchman TV; and Western Union wire transfer. Before Seinfeld, Alexander appeared in commercials for John Deere and McDonald's and in the short-lived CBS sitcom Everything's Relative (1987).

Alexander is best known as one of the key cast members of the award-winning television sitcom Seinfeld, where he played the bumbling George Costanza (Jerry Seinfeld's character's best friend since childhood). He was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards for the role, but did not win any, mainly due to his co-star Michael Richards winning for his role as Cosmo Kramer. He did, however, win the 1995 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.

Concurrently with his Seinfeld role, he had a part in the ABC sitcom Dinosaurs as Al "Sexual" Harris (who frequently engaged in sexual harassment) as well as other characters from 1991 to 1994. For his role in an episode of Dream On, Alexander was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1994. Alexander voiced the lead character in the animated series Duckman (1994–1997) and voiced Catbert, the evil director of human resources, in the short-lived animated series Dilbert from 1999 to 2000, based on the then-popular comic strip. In January 1995, he did a commercial for Rold Gold pretzels to be broadcast during the Super Bowl. The commercial depicts him with Frasier dog Eddie jumping out of an airplane with a parachute over the stadium. After the commercial, the audience is brought back to a supposedly live feed of the playing field hearing startled sports commentators as Alexander and the dog land in the field to wild applause.

Alexander appeared in the 1995 TV 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. He voiced the gargoyle Hugo in Disney's 1996 animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame and its direct-to-video sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II. Alexander voiced the character Abis Mal in the 1994 film The Return of Jafar and the 1994-1995 TV series based on the 1992 film Aladdin.

In 1997, he appeared in Cinderella, a remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, alongside Whitney Houston, Brandy Norwood, and Whoopi Goldberg. His other Disney voice work includes House of Mouse in 2001 and the 2012 video game Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. He has dabbled in directing, starting with 1996's For Better or Worse and 1999's Just Looking. In 1999, Alexander presided over the New York Friars Club Roast event honoring Jerry Stiller, who played his father on Seinfeld; it featured appearances by Kevin James and Patton Oswalt, both Stiller's costars on The King of Queens. Alexander appeared in the 1999 Star Trek: Voyager episode "Think Tank" as Kurros, a genius alien trying to get Seven of Nine to serve on his ship.

In 1999, he provided narration for the documentary film Sideshow: Alive on the Inside.

2000–2009: Solo-lead sitcoms and return to theatre

Despite a successful career in film and stage, Alexander did not repeat his Seinfeld-level of success in television. 2001 marked his appearance as inept womanizer Mauricio in Shallow Hal and his first post-Seinfeld return to prime-time television: the heavily promoted but short-lived ABC sitcom Bob Patterson, which was canceled after five episodes. Alexander partially blames the show's failure on the country's mood after 9/11. Alexander made cameo appearances as himself in 2001 in the second season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and he appeared in the show's seventh season with his three principal Seinfeld co-stars. He was featured in the Friends 2001 episode "The One Where Rosita Dies" as Earl, a suicidal supply manager. Phoebe calls him trying to sell him toner, learns about his problem, and tries to persuade him not to commit suicide. This is referenced in an episode of Malcolm in the Middle where Alexander appears as Leonard, a neurotic and critical loner. He describes himself as "free" and says he makes money "selling toner over the phone". Later in the episode, he is repeatedly harassed by a man named George.

He appeared in "One Night at Mercy", the first episode of the short-lived 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone, playing Death. He played the toymaker A.C. Gilbert in the 2002 film The Man Who Saved Christmas. He appeared in Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) commercials in 2002, including one with Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants and another with Trista Rehn of The Bachelorette. It was rumored that he quit doing these commercials due to KFC suppliers and slaughterhouses' alleged cruelty to animals, but he denied that in an interview with Adweek, saying, "That's PETA bullcrap. I loved working for KFC. I was targeted by PETA to broker something between them. I think KFC really stepped up to the plate; unfortunately PETA did not." In 2007, Alexander appeared in a commercial for the ASPCA that aired on cable TV stations. In 2018, Alexander portrayed Colonel Sanders in commercials for KFC, reprising his role from the 2002 campaign.

In 2003, he was cast opposite Martin Short in the Los Angeles production of Mel Brooks's The Producers. He appeared with Kelsey Grammer in the 2004 musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, as Jacob Marley. He voiced Lil' Lightning in 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure (2003), which went on to become one of his most signature roles. Alexander's second chance as a TV series lead, the CBS sitcom Listen Up (2004–05), also fell short of a second season. Alexander was the principal executive producer of the series, based very loosely on the life of the popular sports-media personality Tony Kornheiser. He performed on the Family Guy: Live in Vegas 2005 album. Alexander continued to appear in live stage shows, including Barbra Streisand's memorable birthday party in 2005 for Stephen Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl, where he performed selections from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with Angela Lansbury. He featured in the 2005 Monk episode "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective" as Monk's rival, Marty Eels.

Alexander in 2006

In a 2006 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Alexander demonstrated several self-defense techniques. Also that year, he hosted the PBS "A Capitol Fourth" celebrations in Washington, D.C., singing, dancing, and playing tuned drums. Alexander was featured as a recurring cast member in the second season of Everybody Hates Chris. He hosted the Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner. He was the artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company in Los Angeles from 2007 until it went defunct in 2013, where he previously directed Sunday in the Park with George, and directed its 2007 revival of Damn Yankees. In 2007, Alexander was a guest star in the third episode of the improv comedy series Thank God You're Here.

He has been a frequent guest and panelist on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect in 1995, 1997 and 2000 and Real Time in 2006, 2009 and 2012; Hollywood Squares in 1999, 2002 and 2004; the Late Late Show in 2003, 2012, 2014 and 2015, with Craig Kilborn, Craig Ferguson, and James Corden; Late Show with David Letterman in 1989, 2000, and 2002; The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2015; and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2015. In 2008, Alexander guest-starred in the season four episode "Masterpiece" of the CBS show Criminal Minds as Professor Rothschild, a well-educated serial killer obsessed with the Fibonacci sequence who sends the team into a race against time to save his last victims. He returned in the same season to direct the episode "Conflicted", featuring the actor Jackson Rathbone.

Alexander hosted the LOL Sudbury opening night gala in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada in 2008, which was simulcast throughout Canada at 60 Cineplex theaters, a first for any comedy festival. He has lent his voice to several episodes of the Twilight Zone Radio Dramas. In 2008 and again in 2009, Alexander fronted Jason Alexander's Comedy Spectacular, a routine exclusive to Australia. The show consists of stand-up and improvisation and incorporates Alexander's musical talent. He is backed up by several well-known Australian comedians. His first time performing a similar show of this nature was in 2006's Jason Alexander's Comedy Christmas. In February/March 2010, Alexander starred in his show, The Donny Clay Experience, at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Donny Clay, whom he has portrayed in a tour of the United States and Orillia, Ontario, is a self-help guru in a similar mold to his Bob Patterson character. In 2009, he played Joseph in the Thomas Nelson audio Bible production The Word of Promise. The project featured a large ensemble of actors, including Jim Caviezel, Lou Gossett Jr., John Rhys-Davies, Jon Voight, Gary Sinise, Christopher McDonald, Marisa Tomei, and John Schneider. In 2009, Alexander had a small role in the film Hachi: A Dog's Tale as a train station manager.

2010–present

Alexander with [[Alan F. Horn]] in May 2010

He starred as Cosmo in the 2011 live action film A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!. In 2011, Alexander was the guest star in an episode of Harry's Law, playing a high school teacher bringing a wrongful dismissal suit. In 2015, he replaced Larry David as the lead in David's Broadway play Fish in the Dark. He co-starred opposite Sherie Rene Scott in the 2017 world premiere of John Patrick Shanley's The Portuguese Kid at the Manhattan Theatre Club. In 2018, Alexander played Olix the bartender in The Orville. The same year, he portrayed Gene Lundy, a drama teacher, on two episodes of Young Sheldon. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, he reprised the role of Gene Lundy on one episode.

In 2019, Alexander appeared on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Asher Friedman, a blacklisted Broadway playwright who is an old friend of Midge Maisel's father Abe Weissman. He won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song for "The Bad Guys?" on Brainwashed By Toons (2020). In 2020, Alexander hosted the Saturday Night Seder, an online Passover Seder that featured many celebrities and benefited the CDC Foundation.

From February 2023 he co-presented Really? No, Really?, a weekly podcast in which he, co-host Peter Tilden, and their guests attempt to find answers "to life’s most baffling, intriguing, confusing and annoying questions". In July 2023, he made his Broadway directing debut with Sandy Rustin's comedy The Cottage. The cast includes Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy and Lilli Cooper. In 2023, on the December 21 primetime CBS special Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic, Alexander performed two songs in conjunction with dance-performers and closed the show with a spoken tribute to Van Dyke.

Personal life

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

Alexander performed a mentalism and magic act at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, from April 24 to 30, 2006, and he was later named The Academy of Magical Arts Parlor Magician of the Year for this act. He won the academy's Junior Achievement Award in 1989.

Charity

Alexander was the national spokesman for the Scleroderma Foundation, a leading organization dedicated to raising awareness of the disease and assisting those who are afflicted. In summer 2005, he appeared with Lee Iacocca in ads for DaimlerChrysler. Iacocca did the ads as part of a way to raise money for Denise Faustman's research on autoimmunity. Iacocca and Alexander both have loved ones whose lives have been adversely affected by autoimmunity.

Alexander competed on televised poker shows and in various tournaments. He appeared twice on Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, winning the final table of the 8th season. Alexander won the $500,000 prize for the charity of his choice, The United Way of America, to help benefit the New Orleans area. Alexander played in the 2007 World Series of Poker main event, but he was eliminated on the second day. He returned in 2009, making it to day 3 of the event and finishing in the top 30% of the field. Alexander has appeared on NBC's Poker After Dark in the "Celebrities and Mentors" episode, finishing in 6th place after being eliminated by professional poker player Gavin Smith. He signed with PokerStars, where he plays under the screen name "J. Alexander". In 2021, Alexander competed in a virtual National Poker Tournament, hosted by the Children's Tumor Foundation, to raise money for Neurofibromatosis research.

Political views

Alexander has been a prominent public supporter of the OneVoice initiative, which seeks out opinions from moderate Israelis and Palestinians who want to achieve a mutual peace agreement, through what it states is the silent majority of Israelis and Palestinians. On Real Time with Bill Maher, he said he had visited Israel many times and spoke about progress toward peace he had observed.

On December 6, 2012 Alexander emceed his third gala event for non-profit group Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, a charity supporting the Israel Defense Forces. Musician Stevie Wonder canceled his performance at the event following a recommendation from the UN, and a public petition from Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) requesting that he not attend the event. Alexander, who was interviewed at the event by Jewish News Syndicate, stated he supported the OneVoice Movement, and acknowledged an occupation of Palestine and called for a two-state solution, which was later criticized by Roz Rothstein, CEO of the pro-Israel education group StandWithUs. When asked about the IDF, Alexander stated that they were humane and noble, stating "some of the finest, most humane, most admirable, most noble-serving soldiers that I've ever seen" and that "there can never be any doubt that I am also an advocate for Israel". When asked about why he had repeatedly emceed the event, Alexander stated, "They don't understand first of all what [FIDF] is, and they see it as just a blanket support for Israeli military, and they don't understand how I can say that I'm an advocate for both sides. And given the fact that there are eyes on this event tonight, I thought it was important to get up and say, 'This is why I can advocate for this group and I can advocate for Israel, and I'm not blind to the fact that we're in conflict, and I hold everyone equally accountable, and I hold everyone equally to my heart.'" On November 6, 2015 he again emceed an event at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in California, which raised $31 million for "provid[ing] educational, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for IDF soldiers."

Alexander is a supporter of the Democratic Party. Alexander supports same-sex marriage and an assault weapons ban. In 2020, he campaigned for the Texas Democrats with former Seinfeld colleagues Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Larry David. He endorsed Barack Obama in 2012 and Joe Biden in 2020. Alexander has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and he has ridiculed Donald Trump over his dancing. He has called Republican Party senator Ted Cruz a jerk from the "jerk store" in reference to a joke from Seinfeld.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1981The BurningDave
1986The Mosquito CoastClerk
Brighton Beach MemoirsPool Player
1990Pretty WomanPhilip Stuckey
White PalaceNeil
Jacob's LadderMr. Geary
1992I Don't Buy Kisses AnymoreBernie Fishbine
1993Sexual HealingFrankShort subject
ConeheadsLarry Farber
For Goodness SakeVCR CustomerShort subject
1994The PaperMarion Sandusky
NorthNorth's Father
The Return of JafarAbis MalVoice; direct-to-video
BlankmanLarry Stone
1995For Better or WorseMichael MakeshiftAlso director
The Last SupperThe Anti-Environmentalist
1996Dunston Checks InRobert Grant
The Hunchback of Notre DameHugoVoicetitle=Jason Alexander (visual voices guide)url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Jason-Alexander/access-date=November 17, 2023publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} 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.
1997Love! Valour! Compassion!Buzz Hauser
1998DenialArt Witz
1999Madeline: Lost in ParisHenri / Uncle HorstVoice; direct-to-video
Love and Action in ChicagoFrank Bonner
Just LookingRadio AnnouncerVoice, uncredited; also director
2000The Adventures of Rocky and BullwinkleBoris Badenov
Let's Rap Fire SafetySmoke DetectorVoice; short subject
2001The Trumpet of the SwanFatherVoice
On EdgeZamboni Phil
Shallow HalMauricio Wilson
2002The Hunchback of Notre Dame IIHugoVoice, direct-to-video
2003101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London AdventureLil' LightningVoice, direct-to-video
2006Ira & AbbyDr. Morris Saperstein
Hood of HorrorBritish Record Mogul
How to Go Out on a Date in QueensJohnny
Farce of the PenguinsPenguin on BellyVoice, direct-to-video
2007The GrandDr. Yakov Achmed
2009Rock SlydeMailman Stan
Hachi: A Dog's TaleCarl Bollins
2010Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space OdysseyMajor MoronVoice
2011The Voyages of Young Doctor DolittleEugeneVoice; direct-to-video
2012Stars in ShortsSid Rosenthal
Delhi SafariMale Flamingo, Hyena CookVoice; English dub
2014Lucky StiffVinnie DiRuzzio
2015Wild CardPinchus "Pinky" Zion
Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight AttendantMr. Gaye
2016Tom and Jerry: Back to OzMr. Bibb / The Nome KingVoice; direct-to-video
Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have HappenedHimselfDocumentary
2020My Boyfriend's MedsDr. Sternbach
Faith BasedNicky Steele
2023LeoJayda's DadVoice
2024Stealing Pulp FictionDr. Mendelbaum
2025The Electric StateTed Finister
2026JimmyLouis B. MayerPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1981Senior TripPeteTelevision film
1984–1985E/RHarold Stickley15 episodes
1986RockabyeLt. Ernest FoyTelevision film
1987Everything's RelativeJulian Beeby10 episodes
1988NewhartRammingEpisode: "Courtin' Disaster"
1989–1998SeinfeldGeorge CostanzaMain role; 178 episodes
1992–1993DinosaursVarious voicesRecurring role; 7 episodes
1993Dream OnRandall TownsendEpisode: "Oral Sex, Lies and Videotape"
1993–1998Saturday Night LiveHimself2 episodes
1994–1997DuckmanEric Duckman (voice)Main role; 70 episodes
1994, 1998The Larry Sanders ShowHimself2 episodes
1994AladdinAbis Mal (voice)Recurring role; 14 episodes
1995Bye Bye BirdieAlbert PetersonTelevision film
47th Primetime Emmy AwardsHimself (co-host)Television special
1996Muppets TonightHimselfEpisode: "Jason Alexander"
The NannyJackEpisode: "The Tart with Heart"
Sesame StreetHimselfEpisode 3557
1997Remember WENNAlan BallingerEpisode: "Nothing Up My Sleeve"
CinderellaLionelTelevision film
1998–1999HerculesPoseidon (voice)Recurring role; 7 episodes
1999Jingle BellsElfVoice; Television film
Ultimate Trek: Star Trek's Greatest MomentsCaptain James T. KirkTelevision special
Star Trek: VoyagerKurrosEpisode: "Think Tank"
1999–2000DilbertCatbert (voice)Main role; 9 episodes
2001, 2009Curb Your EnthusiasmHimselfRecurring role; 5 episodes
2001FriendsEarlEpisode: "The One Where Rosita Dies"
Bob PattersonBob PattersonMain role; 10 episodes; also executive producer
The Legend of TarzanZuthoVoice, episode: "Tarzan and the Face from the Past"
2002Son of the BeachTex FinklesteinEpisode: "Penetration Island"
House of MouseHugoVoice; Episode: "Donald Wants to Fly"
The Twilight ZoneDeathEpisode: "One Night at Mercy"
The Man Who Saved ChristmasA.C. GilbertTelevision film
2003Malcolm in the MiddleLeonardEpisode: "Future Malcolm"
2004–2005Listen UpTony KleinmanMain role; also producer
2004A Christmas CarolJacob MarleyTelevision film
2005MonkMarty EelsEpisode: "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective"
2006Odd Job JackDonVoice; episode: "Twenty-One You're Dead"
Campus LadiesProfessorEpisode: "A Very Special Episode"
2006–2007Everybody Hates ChrisPrincipal Edwards2 episodes
2008The New Adventures of Old ChristineDr. PalmerEpisode: "One and a Half Men"
Criminal MindsProf. RothchildEpisode: "Masterpiece"
2009MeteorDr. Chetwyn2 episodes
2010–2013Fish HooksMr. NibblesVoice; 3 episodes
The Cleveland ShowSaul FriedmanVoice; 2 episodes
2010, 2023American Dad!Sal / Mr. OrlandoVoice; 2 episodes
2011Glenn Martin, DDSBrandonVoice; episode: "GlenHog Day"
Franklin & BashCarter LangEpisode: "Big Fish"
Harry's LawRichard CrossEpisode: "Bad to Worse"
China, ILHaroldVoice; 2 episodes
A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!Human CosmoTelevision film
2011–2012Dora the ExplorerOwlVoice; 3 episodes
2012Two and a Half MenDr. GoodmanEpisode: "The Straw in My Donut Hole"
ClipaholicsNarratorVoice; main role
2013CommunityMountain ManEpisode: "Intro to Felt Surrogacy"
2014Comedians in Cars Getting CoffeeGeorge CostanzaEpisode: "George Costanza: The Over-Cheer"
KirstieStanford TempleEpisode: "Maddie's Agent"
Comedy Bang! Bang!Inspector GantletEpisode: "Jenna Fischer Wears a Floral Blouse & Black Heels"
How Murray Saved ChristmasDoc HolidayVoice; Television film
2014–2017The Tom and Jerry ShowRick (voice)Voice; 11 episodes
2015Big Time in Hollywood, FLHimselfEpisode: "The Hand That Feeds"
Penn Zero: Part-Time HeroCoach WallaceVoice; episode: "Ultrahyperball"
Drunk HistoryWilliam "Boss" TweedEpisode: "Journalism"
League of Legends with VideogamedunkeyHimselfEpisode: "Brucer Zin Zow"
2015–2016The GrinderCliff Bemis4 episodes
TripTankVarious voices6 episodes
2016The Mark Lembeck TechniqueMark LembeckPilot
2017Animals.AlgaeVoice, episode: "Rats"
The SimpsonsBourbon VerlanderVoice; episode: "The Caper Chase"
Hit the RoadKen SwallowMain role; also co-creator, writer and executive producer
2017–2018Kody KapowGojiVoice; recurring role
2017, 2019Robot ChickenKrampusVoice; 2 episodes
2018–2022Young SheldonGene Lundy5 episodes
2018Broadway: Beyond the Golden AgeHimselfDocumentary
2018–2019The OrvilleOlix2 episodes
2019The Bug DiariesCicadaVoice; episode: "Worm's New Digs"
Richard LovelyMr. MouseVoice; Pilot
Pinky MalinkyMayor HopVoice; recurring role
Mad About YouHimselfEpisode: "Real Estate for Beginners"
2019–presentHarley QuinnSy BorgmanVoice, 13 episodes
2019–2022The Marvelous Mrs. MaiselAsher Friedman4 episodes
2021The ConnersPastor Phil2 episodes
The Problem with Jon StewartJeff BezosEpisode: "Working-Class Economy"
2022Out of OfficeEliza's DadTelevision film
2022–2024Star Trek: ProdigyDoctor NoumVoice; 23 episodes
2023History of the World, Part IIMaurice CheeksEpisode: "VI"
2024Rock, Paper, ScissorsJonathan FartjokeVoice; episode: "Potato/The Fart Joke Debate"
Y llegaron de nocheCarl Laemmle4 episodes
2025Lego Marvel Avengers: Strange TailsMagnetoVoice; Disney+ special

Theatre

YearTitleRoleVenue
1981Merrily We Roll AlongJoe JosephsonNeil Simon Theatre, Broadway
1982Forbidden BroadwayPerformerStage 72, Off-Broadway
1984The RinkLino/Lenny/Punk/Uncle FaustoAl Hirschfeld Theatre, Broadway
1985–1986PersonalsLouis/OthersMinetta Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway
1986–1988Broadway BoundStanley JeromeBroadhurst Theatre, Broadway
1989–1990Jerome Robbins' BroadwayNarratorImperial Theatre, Broadway
1990AccomplicePerformerRichard Rodgers Theater, Broadway
Light Up the SkySidney BlackUnion Square Theatre, Off-Broadway
2000DefiledHarry MendelssohnGeffen Playhouse, Los Angeles
2003–2004The ProducersMax BialystockNational Tour
2006The God of HellDirector onlyGeffen Playhouse, Los Angeles
2008The Odd CoupleOscar MadisonStage Reading
2013Finding NeverlandCharles FrohmanWorkshop
Broadway BoundDirector onlyOdyssey Theatre
2015Fish in the DarkNorman Drexel (replacement)Cort Theatre, Broadway
2016WindfallDirector onlyArkansas Repertory Theatre
2017The Portuguese KidBarry DragonettiManhattan Theatre Club
2019The Last Five YearsDirector onlySyracuse Stage
2023The CottageHelen Hayes Theater, Broadway
Gutenberg! The Musical!Producer (one night only)James Earl Jones Theatre, Broadway
2024Judgment DaySammy CampoChicago Shakespeare Theater
Fiddler on the RoofTevyeLa Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Music videos

YearTitleArtistRole
2007"Celebrity"Brad PaisleyHimself
2007"Online"Geek; also director
2012"Trying Not to Love You"NickelbackBud
2021"Cinderella Medley"Todrick Hall & BrandyLionel

Video games

YearTitleVoice roleRef.
1996Disney's Animated Storybook: The Hunchback of Notre DameHugo
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Topsy Turvy GamesHugo
2012Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop DistanceHugo

Director

YearTitleNotes
1992SeinfeldEpisode: "The Good Samaritan"
2006Campus LadiesEpisode: "A Very Special Episode"
2007–2008Everybody Hates Chris2 episodes
2009Criminal MindsEpisode: "Conflicted"
2010'Til DeathEpisode: "Snore Loser"
2012Franklin & BashEpisode: "Last Dance"
Mike & MollyEpisode: "Vince Takes a Bath"
2023Young SheldonEpisode: "A Frat Party, a Sleepover and the Mother of All Blisters"

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryNominated workResultRef.Daytime Emmy AwardsDrama Desk AwardsPrimetime Emmy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsScreen Actors Guild AwardsTony Awards
2020Outstanding Original SongBrainwashed By Toons
Outstanding Writing for a Special Class Series
1986Outstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalPersonals
1989Outstanding Actor in a MusicalJerome Robbins' Broadway
1992Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (episode: "The Note" + "The Tape")
1993Seinfeld (episode: "The Contest" + "The Outing")
1994Seinfeld (episode: "The Hamptons" + "The Opposite")
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy SeriesDream On (episode: "Oral Sex, Lies, and Videotape")
1995Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (episode: "The Gymnast" + "The Race")
1996Seinfeld (episode: "The Pool Guy" + "The Invitations")
1997Seinfeld (episode: "The Comeback")
1998Seinfeld (episode: "The Strike")
1992Best Supporting Actor – TelevisionSeinfeld (season 3)
1993Seinfeld (season 4)
1994Seinfeld (season 5)
1997Seinfeld (season 8)
1994Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series
1995Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series
1996Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series
1997Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series
1998Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series
1989Best Actor in a MusicalJerome Robbins' Broadway

References

References

  1. Pollak, Kevin. (January 13, 2015). "KPCS: Jason Alexander #86".
  2. (September 23, 1959). "Jason Alexander Biography: Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor, Comedian (1959–)". [[Biography (TV program).
  3. "Jason Alexander". [[Yahoo!.
  4. link. (May 2, 2020 , ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 22, 1999. Retrieved February 24, 2011. "I was born in 1959 and grew up in [[Livingston, New Jersey]], but I felt I knew these people very well"{{subscription required)
  5. "Jason Alexander discusses how he got into acting and his early career- EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG".
  6. (February 2015). "Seinfeld's Costanza Gives Master Class in Acting at CFA". Boston University.
  7. (October 9, 2014). "Master Class with Alumnus Jason Alexander".
  8. "Jason Alexander {{!}} Kennedy Center".
  9. (February 27, 1989). "Review/Theater; From Jerome Robbins, 20 Years of Broadway the Way It Was". [[The New York Times]].
  10. Efrem, Maia. (July 27, 2016). "Jason Alexander Had Hair When He Starred in These 8 Hilarious '80's Commercials".
  11. "The Inaugural Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".
  12. "Screen Actors Guild Awards (1995)". IMDb.
  13. "Dilbert (1999-2000) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb.
  14. "Catbert".
  15. "Muppets Tonight". Metacritic.
  16. "Jason Alexander to debut in ''Kingdom Hearts''". I.imgur.com.
  17. Dougherty, Lynn. "Sideshow: Alive on the Inside".
  18. (April 3, 2005). "In Step With: Jason Alexander". Parade Magazine.
  19. Rice, Lynette. (March 5, 2009). "Exclusive: 'Seinfeld' cast to appear on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'".
  20. "Logan, a victim of animal cruelty".
  21. Haring, Bruce. (August 7, 2018). "Jason Alexander Is Latest KFC Celebrity Col. Sanders Imitator in New Ads". Deadline Hollywood.
  22. Jones, Kenneth. (July 17, 2002). "Mel Brooks Gets Jason Alexander and Martin Short for L.A. ''Producers'', Starting May 2, 2003". Playbill.
  23. (2005-07-10). "Stephen Sondheim's 75th: The Concert".
  24. Ng, David. (2013-06-28). "Jason Alexander on the end of Reprise Theatre Company".
  25. Gans, Andrew. (2007-11-06). "Reprise! ''Damn Yankees'', with Derricks, Gillentine, Page, Taylor and White, Begins Nov. 6".
  26. Mann, Bill. (1997-01-01). "Maher makes the correct move".
  27. (2012-09-05). "HBO's Bill Maher Pulls in Largest Audience in Eight Years Amid Presidential Conventions".
  28. Wang, Jessica. (2022-04-12). "Jason Alexander, Jon Stewart, Jennifer Tilly, and more remember Gilbert Gottfried: 'What a gift'".
  29. (2003-08-03). "Talk Show Watch: "Camp" on "Letterman," Jason Alexander on "Kilborn," Melanie Griffith on "The View"".
  30. Rahman, Ray. (2012-06-03). "Jason Alexander apologizes for calling cricket a 'gay sport' on 'The Late Late Show'".
  31. Levin, Sydney. (2014-02-12). "Jason Alexander defends his very obvious toupee".
  32. Fierberg, Ruthie. (2017-10-03). "Jason Alexander Shares the Time He Got in Trouble With Stephen Sondheim".
  33. Gorenstein, Colin. (2015-06-09). "Watch Larry David and Jason Alexander gang up on Jimmy Fallon during "Tonight Show" appearance".
  34. Fox, Jesse David. (June 9, 2015). "Larry David and Jason Alexander Appeared on Fallon Together: Imagine Seinfeld With Two Georges".
  35. (2008). ""Criminal Minds" Masterpiece". IMDb.
  36. "Criminal Minds Episode Guide 2008 Season 4 – Masterpiece, Episode 8". TV Guide.
  37. Selzer, Jillian. "21 celebrities you forgot guest starred on 'Criminal Minds'".
  38. "The Official Resource Site For WORD OF PROMISE".
  39. Groves, Martha. (November 16, 2009). "BELIEFS : Stars lined up for elaborate audio Bible : Michael York, Jason Alexander and many others gave voice to a 79-CD reading of Old and New Testaments". Los Angeles Times.
  40. "Harry's Law". IMDb.
  41. (August 25, 2011). "TVLine Items: Seinfeld Vet to Harry's Law, Tim Allen Meets Elvira, Y&R Star to Ringer and More".
  42. (March 26, 2015). "Jason Alexander Will Succeed Larry David in 'Fish in the Dark'". [[The New York Times]].
  43. "Manhattan Theatre Club – 2017–18 Season".
  44. ""The Orville" Ja'loja (TV Episode 2018)". IMDb.
  45. (January 11, 2019). "The wild and interesting guest stars of 'The Orville'".
  46. Smail, Gretchen. (December 6, 2019). "'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Season 3 Includes A Surprising Cameo From A 'Seinfeld' Favorite".
  47. (30 November 2022). "Curb stars to make a new podcast about the show". Chortle.
  48. (16 February 2023). "Jason Alexander Sets Broadway Directing Debut With 'The Cottage' Starring Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy & Lilli Cooper". Deadline.
  49. Solzman, Danielle. (December 21, 2023). "dick-van-dyke-98-years-of-magic-airs-on-cbs".
  50. Wallace, Amy. (May 14, 2019). "Director Stacy Title's Mission to Make 'Walking Time Bomb'".
  51. "Jason Alexander Biography – Facts, Birthday, Life Story – Biography.com". [[The Biography Channel]].
  52. (November 26, 2004). "Alexander's Son Unimpressed With Seinfeld".
  53. (July 2, 2014). "Hall of Fame".
  54. DiNunno, Gina. (January 6, 2010). "Jason Alexander Becomes Jenny Craig Spokesperson". TV Guide.
  55. "faustmanlab.org". faustmanlab.org.
  56. Kamaras, Jacob. (October 12, 2012). "Millions raised, Stevie Wonder absence, Jason Alexander encore mark IDF gala".
  57. Abunimah, Ali. (2013-01-16). "Israeli fake peace group One Voice reveals its anti-Palestinian bigotry in Facebook graphics".
  58. (2015-11-07). "IN PICTURES: Star-studded LA fundraiser rakes in $31 million for IDF".
  59. Alexander, Jason. (October 8, 2020). "Once again, I am proud to stand with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and the slate of Democratic candidates for House and Senate. The lies, the cheating, the corruption and the destruction of our nation, institutions and citizens must end.#VoteBlueToSaveAmerica".
  60. (2011-06-24). "New York Gay Marriage Ruling: What Hollywood Is Saying on Twitter".
  61. (2012-07-23). "Jason Alexander's amazing gun rant".
  62. Strause, Jackie. (2020-10-20). "A 'Fundraiser About Something': 'Seinfeld' Stars to Reunite for Texas Democrats".
  63. (2019-03-21). "Obama Receives a Celebrity Endorsement at FSU".
  64. (2017-02-22). "'Seinfeld' Alum Jason Alexander Spars With Trump Supporters Over Gen. McMaster's George Costanza Reference".
  65. Parker, Ryan. (2020-10-18). "Jason Alexander Compares Trump's Dance Moves to Those of Elaine Benes".
  66. (May 7, 2019). "Seinfeld Actor Jason Alexander Slams 'Jerk' Ted Cruz in 2020 Presidential Burn". CCN.com.
  67. "Jason Alexander (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
  68. (August 23, 2023). "Everything You Need to Know About ''Leo''".
  69. Malkin, Marc. (August 5, 2025). "KJ Apa to Star as Jimmy Stewart in Biopic (EXCLUSIVE)".
  70. "Merrily We Roll Along (Broadway, 1981)".
  71. "Jason Alexander Theatre Broadway and Theatre Credits".
  72. "The Rink (Broadway, 1984)".
  73. "Broadway Bound (Broadway, 1986)".
  74. "Jerome Robbins' Broadway".
  75. "Accomplice (Broadway, 1990)".
  76. "Jason Alexander and Peter Falk To Be Defiled in Geffen World Preem May 23".
  77. "Mel Brooks Gets Jason Alexander and Martin Short for L.A. Producers, Starting May 2, 2003".
  78. "TV Stars Head L.A. Debut of The God of Hell Directed by Jason Alexander, June 20".
  79. "Reprise! May Do Odd Couple Reading with Jason Alexander".
  80. link. (March 28, 2014 ''[[The New York Times]]'' (artsbeat.blogs), 4 September 2013{{subscription required)
  81. Courtney, Alyson. (2016-06-10). "Jason Alexander directs world premiere of 'Windfall' at The Rep".
  82. Lowen, Linda. (June 2, 2019). "'Last Five Years' at Syracuse Stage a unique, gorgeous and innovative production (Review)". Syracuse Post-Standard.
  83. [https://www.fox5ny.com/news/the-cottage-jason-alexander-broadway ''Fox5NY Alexander Directs''] {{Webarchive. link. (July 24, 2023 accessed 07/24/23)
  84. Levy, Matt. (2023-12-18). "Surprise celebrity appearances at 'Gutenberg' on Broadway: Get tickets".
  85. (May 9, 2024). "Jason Alexander stars in 'Judgment Day' at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater".
  86. Reilly, Jennifer. (2022-05-27). "Fiddler on the Roof".
  87. "Jason Alexander".
  88. Sullivan, Lindsey. (2021-02-12). "Watch Todrick Hall Join Brandy & More to Pay Tribute to Cinderella with Delightful Medley".
  89. "Jason Alexander". IMDb.
  90. "Jason Alexander".
  91. "Nominees / Winners 1992 Emmy Awards".
  92. "Nominees / Winners 1993 Emmy Awards".
  93. "Nominees / Winners 1994 Emmy Awards".
  94. "Nominees / Winners 1995 Emmy Awards".
  95. "Nominees / Winners 1996 Emmy Awards".
  96. "Nominees / Winners 1997 Emmy Awards".
  97. "Nominees / Winners 1998 Emmy Awards".
  98. "1st Screen Actors Guild Awards".
  99. (November 2025). "2nd Screen Actors Guild Awards".
  100. (November 2025). "3rd Screen Actors Guild Awards".
  101. (November 2025). "4th Screen Actors Guild Awards".
  102. (November 2025). "5th Screen Actors Guild Awards".
  103. "Jason Alexander Tony Awards Info - Browse by Nominee".
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