Alvin Epstein was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Beauty and the Beast, Synecdoche, New York, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He was born on May 14, 1925, in the Bronx, New York, and passed away on December 10, 2018, in Newton, Massachusetts.
Personal and Family Life
Alvin Epstein was born to Harry Epstein and Goldie Rudnick. He had a sibling named Sandra Epstein and a half-sibling named Claire Stein. In his early life, he developed a love for theater and studied briefly at Fordham University, as well as with the famous dancer Martha Graham.
Career Highlights
Epstein’s career was marked by his fascination with stage design and theater, influenced by Edward Gordon Craig, whom he met during World War II. He studied under renowned mime Etienne Decroux alongside fellow student Marcel Marceau. Epstein’s notable performances included the American debut of Marceau and the New York premiere of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot.
Death and Legacy
Alvin Epstein passed away on December 10, 2018, from pneumonia in Newton, Massachusetts. He left behind a rich legacy in the world of theater and film, remembered for his unique contributions to the arts and his performances in significant productions.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty and the Beast | 1991-10-22 | Bookseller (voice) |
| Everybody Rides the Carousel | 1975-06-08 | Prologue (voice) |
| My America | 2014-07-04 | |
| Waiting for Godot | 1961-01-01 | Lucky |
| Never Met Picasso | 1996-01-01 | Uncle Alfred |
| Story Theatre | 1969-11-28 | Ensemble Member |
| Doing Life | 1986-01-01 | Lou Rosenberg |
| Age Isn’t Everything | 1991-01-02 | Dr. Hirsch |
| Engram | 2014-01-01 | |
| Synecdoche, New York | 2008-10-24 | Man with Nose Bleed |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | 1999-09-20 | Harold Lassiter |
| Law & Order | 1990-09-13 | Dr. Chester |
| Law & Order | 1990-09-13 | Stuart Rubin |