:Jason Alexander

File:Jason-Alexander-1977.jpg 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.Weinraub, Bernard. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E6D81039F931A15753C1A96F958260 "At the Movies"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502175354/https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E6D81039F931A15753C1A96F958260 |date=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" 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.{{cite web |title=Jason Alexander discusses how he got into acting and his early career- EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYhEp_sAfKE | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/dYhEp_sAfKE| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

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."{{cite journal|last1=Laskowski|first1=Amy|title=Seinfeld's Costanza Gives Master Class in Acting at CFA|journal=Bostonia|date=February 2015|page=4|publisher=Boston University}}{{Citation |title=Master Class with Alumnus Jason Alexander | date=October 9, 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_d-Ga2Ro1Y |access-date=2023-07-17 |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717185058/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_d-Ga2Ro1Y |url-status=live }} 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.

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".{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/27/theater/review-theater-from-jerome-robbins-20-years-of-broadway-the-way-it-was.html|title= Review/Theater; From Jerome Robbins, 20 Years of Broadway the Way It Was|work= The New York Times|date= February 27, 1989|accessdate= June 8, 2024|last1= Rich|first1= Frank}}

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.{{cite web | last = Efrem | first = Maia | url = https://forward.com/schmooze/346229/jason-alexander-had-hair-when-he-starred-in-these-8-hilarious-80s-commercia/ | title = Jason Alexander Had Hair When He Starred in These 8 Hilarious '80's Commercials | via = Forward.com | date = July 27, 2016 | access-date = July 15, 2020 | archive-date = July 16, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200716034830/https://forward.com/schmooze/346229/jason-alexander-had-hair-when-he-starred-in-these-8-hilarious-80s-commercia/ | url-status = live }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/inaugural-screen-actors-guild-awards|title=The Inaugural Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards|website=sagawards.org|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727231454/https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/inaugural-screen-actors-guild-awards|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000598/1995/1/|title = Screen Actors Guild Awards (1995)|publisher = IMDb|access-date = March 28, 2020|archive-date = August 18, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200818031908/https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000598/1995/1/|url-status = live}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Dilbert (1999-2000) Full Cast & Crew|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118984/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast|access-date=June 20, 2020|publisher=IMDb|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024350/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118984/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Catbert|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Dilbert/Catbert/|access-date=2021-10-04|website=Behind The Voice Actors|language=en-US|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004153918/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Dilbert/Catbert/|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/muppets-tonight/season-1/episode-8-jason-alexander|title=Muppets Tonight|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818092638/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/muppets-tonight/season-1/episode-8-jason-alexander|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/SPgIW.jpg|title=Jason Alexander to debut in Kingdom Hearts|publisher=I.imgur.com|access-date=February 20, 2013|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110101411/http://i.imgur.com/SPgIW.jpg|url-status=live}} 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.{{Citation |last=Dougherty |first=Lynn |title=Sideshow: Alive on the Inside |type=Documentary |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1934391/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |others=Percilla Bejano, Ronnie Galyon, Donnie Galyon}}

Despite a successful career in film and stage, Alexander did not repeat his Seinfeld-level of success in television. The year 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.{{cite news | title = In Step With: Jason Alexander | work = Parade Magazine | date = April 3, 2005 | url = http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_04-03-2005/in_step_with_0 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322095902/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_04-03-2005/in_step_with_0 | archive-date=March 22, 2006}} 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.{{cite magazine|url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/seinfeld-cast-t.html |author=Rice, Lynette |title=Exclusive: 'Seinfeld' cast to appear on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 5, 2009 |access-date=July 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703123616/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/seinfeld-cast-t.html |archive-date=July 3, 2009 }} 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.{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDCP75iz22M| title = Logan, a victim of animal cruelty| via = YouTube| access-date = December 30, 2010| archive-date = July 30, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130730122850/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDCP75iz22M| url-status = live}} In 2018, Alexander portrayed Colonel Sanders in commercials for KFC, reprising his role from the 2002 campaign.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/jason-alexander-is-latest-kfc-celebrity-col-sanders-imitator-in-new-ads-1202442231/ | title=Jason Alexander Is Latest KFC Celebrity Col. Sanders Imitator in New Ads | first=Bruce | last=Haring | date=August 7, 2018 | work=Deadline Hollywood | access-date=September 3, 2018 | archive-date=August 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828015126/https://deadline.com/2018/08/jason-alexander-is-latest-kfc-celebrity-col-sanders-imitator-in-new-ads-1202442231/ | url-status=live }}

In 2003, he was cast opposite Martin Short in the Los Angeles production of Mel Brooks's The Producers.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/mel-brooks-gets-jason-alexander-and-martin-short-for-la-producers-starting-may-2-2003-com-107118 |work=Playbill |date=July 17, 2002 |title=Mel Brooks Gets Jason Alexander and Martin Short for L.A. Producers, Starting May 2, 2003 |access-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402002028/https://www.playbill.com/article/mel-brooks-gets-jason-alexander-and-martin-short-for-la-producers-starting-may-2-2003-com-107118 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web | last1=Gallo | first1=Phil | title=Stephen Sondheim's 75th: The Concert | website=Variety | date=2005-07-10 | url=https://variety.com/2005/music/markets-festivals/stephen-sondheim-s-75th-the-concert-1200524633/ | access-date=2024-01-12}} He featured in the 2005 Monk episode "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective" as Monk's rival, Marty Eels.

File:Jason Alexander Fourth of July (cropped).jpg

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,{{cite web | last=Ng | first=David | title=Jason Alexander on the end of Reprise Theatre Company | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2013-06-28 | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-xpm-2013-jun-28-la-et-cm-reprise-jason-alexander-20130628-story.html | access-date=2024-01-12}} where he previously directed Sunday in the Park with George, and directed its 2007 revival of Damn Yankees.{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=Reprise! Damn Yankees, with Derricks, Gillentine, Page, Taylor and White, Begins Nov. 6|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/reprise-damn-yankees-with-derricks-gillentine-page-taylor-and-white-begins-nov-6-com-145140|date=2007-11-06|website=Playbill|access-date=2021-01-02|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809235617/https://www.playbill.com/article/reprise-damn-yankees-with-derricks-gillentine-page-taylor-and-white-begins-nov-6-com-145140|url-status=live}} 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{{cite web | last=Mann | first=Bill | title=Maher makes the correct move | website=SFGATE | date=1997-01-01 | url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/maher-makes-the-correct-move-3143822.php | access-date=2024-01-12}} and Real Time in 2006, 2009 and 2012;{{cite web | last1=Guthrie | first1=Marisa | title=HBO's Bill Maher Pulls in Largest Audience in Eight Years Amid Presidential Conventions | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=2012-09-05 | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-bill-maher-presidential-convention-368124/ | access-date=2024-01-12}} Hollywood Squares in 1999, 2002 and 2004;{{cite web | last=Wang | first=Jessica | title=Jason Alexander, Jon Stewart, Jennifer Tilly, and more remember Gilbert Gottfried: 'What a gift' | website=Yahoo News | date=2022-04-12 | url=https://news.yahoo.com/jason-alexander-jon-stewart-jennifer-214536057.html | access-date=2024-01-12}} the Late Late Show in 2003, 2012, 2014 and 2015, with Craig Kilborn, Craig Ferguson, and James Corden;{{cite web | title=Talk Show Watch: "Camp" on "Letterman," Jason Alexander on "Kilborn," Melanie Griffith on "The View" | website=Playbill | date=2003-08-03 | url=https://playbill.com/article/talk-show-watch-camp-on-letterman-jason-alexander-on-kilborn-melanie-griffith-on-the-view-com-114613 | access-date=2024-01-12}}{{cite web | last=Rahman | first=Ray | title=Jason Alexander apologizes for calling cricket a 'gay sport' on 'The Late Late Show' | website=EW.com | date=2012-06-03 | url=https://ew.com/article/2012/06/03/jason-alexander-gay-cricket-apology/ | access-date=2024-01-12}}{{cite web | last=Levin | first=Sydney | title=Jason Alexander defends his very obvious toupee | website=Yahoo News | date=2014-02-12 | url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/2014-02-12-jason-alexander-defends-his-very-obvious-toupee-20828457.html | access-date=2024-01-12}} Late Show with David Letterman in 1989, 2000, and 2002; The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2015;{{cite web | last=Fierberg | first=Ruthie | title=Jason Alexander Shares the Time He Got in Trouble With Stephen Sondheim | website=Playbill | date=2017-10-03 | url=https://playbill.com/article/jason-alexander-shares-the-time-he-got-in-trouble-with-stephen-sondheim | access-date=2024-01-12}} and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2015.{{cite web | last=Gorenstein | first=Colin | title=Watch Larry David and Jason Alexander gang up on Jimmy Fallon during "Tonight Show" appearance | website=Salon | date=2015-06-09 | url=https://www.salon.com/2015/06/09/watch_larry_david_and_jason_alexander_gang_up_on_jimmy_fallon_during_tonight_show_appearance/ | access-date=2024-01-12}}{{cite web | last=Fox | first=Jesse David | title=Larry David and Jason Alexander Appeared on Fallon Together: Imagine Seinfeld With Two Georges | website=Vulture | date=June 9, 2015 | url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/david-alexander-appeared-on-fallon-together.html | access-date=January 31, 2024}} In 2008, Alexander guest-starred in the season four episode "Masterpiece" of the CBS show Criminal Minds as Professor Rothschild,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1256105/|title="Criminal Minds" Masterpiece|year=2008|publisher=IMDb|access-date=March 8, 2015|archive-date=April 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430235910/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1256105/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/criminal-minds-2008/episode-8-season-4/masterpiece/192244 |title=Criminal Minds Episode Guide 2008 Season 4 – Masterpiece, Episode 8 |work=TV Guide |access-date=February 13, 2011 |archive-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303065611/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/criminal-minds-2008/episode-8-season-4/masterpiece/192244 |url-status=live }} a well-educated serial killer obsessed with the Fibonacci sequence who sends the team into a race against time to save his last victims.{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/celebrities-who-guest-starred-on-criminal-minds-2019-1|title=21 celebrities you forgot guest starred on 'Criminal Minds'|first=Jillian|last=Selzer|website=Insider|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811105007/https://www.insider.com/celebrities-who-guest-starred-on-criminal-minds-2019-1|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web |title=The Official Resource Site For WORD OF PROMISE | url = http://wordofpromise.thomasnelson.com/cast.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029002922/http://wordofpromise.thomasnelson.com/cast.php |archive-date=October 29, 2014 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-16-me-beliefs16-story.html |title=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 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Martha |last=Groves |date=November 16, 2009 |access-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-date=February 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214194441/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/nov/16/local/me-beliefs16 |url-status=live }} In 2009, Alexander had a small role in the film Hachi: A Dog's Tale as a train station manager.

File:AlanHornJasonAlexanderMay10.jpg 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2044305/|title=Harry's Law|publisher=IMDb|access-date=March 8, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403073744/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2044305/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2011/08/25/tvline-items-jason-alexander-harrys-law-elvira-ringer/|title=TVLine Items: Seinfeld Vet to Harry's Law, Tim Allen Meets Elvira, Y&R Star to Ringer and More|first1=Megan|last1=Masters|date=August 25, 2011|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818091206/https://tvline.com/2011/08/25/tvline-items-jason-alexander-harrys-law-elvira-ringer/|url-status=live}} In 2015, he replaced Larry David as the lead in David's Broadway play Fish in the Dark.{{cite web|url= https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/26/jason-alexander-will-succeed-larry-david-in-fish-in-the-dark/|title= Jason Alexander Will Succeed Larry David in 'Fish in the Dark'|website= The New York Times|date= March 26, 2015|accessdate= June 8, 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://manhattantheatreclub.com/2017-18-season/|title=Manhattan Theatre Club – 2017–18 Season|website=Manhattan Theatre Club|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505180448/https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/2017-18-season/|url-status=live}} In 2018, Alexander played Olix the bartender in The Orville.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587318/fullcredits|title="The Orville" Ja'loja (TV Episode 2018)|publisher=IMDb|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329065325/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7587318/fullcredits|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2019/01/11/wild-and-interesting-guest-stars-orville|title=The wild and interesting guest stars of 'The Orville'|date=January 11, 2019|website=Guide|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818091206/https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2019/01/11/wild-and-interesting-guest-stars-orville|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Smail|first=Gretchen|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/jason-alexanders-mrs-maisel-character-helps-to-set-abe-on-a-new-career-path-19431871|title='Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Season 3 Includes A Surprising Cameo From A 'Seinfeld' Favorite|website=Bustle|language=en|date=December 6, 2019|access-date=2020-02-17|archive-date=December 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207124315/https://www.bustle.com/p/jason-alexanders-mrs-maisel-character-helps-to-set-abe-on-a-new-career-path-19431871|url-status=live}} 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".{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2022/11/30/52182/curb_stars_to_make_a_new_podcast_about_the_show|title=Curb stars to make a new podcast about the show|publisher=Chortle|date=30 November 2022|accessdate=20 December 2022|archive-date=December 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220003420/https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2022/11/30/52182/curb_stars_to_make_a_new_podcast_about_the_show|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/jason-alexander-broadway-the-cottage-eric-mccormack-laura-bell-bundy-lilli-cooper-1235261889/|title=Jason Alexander Sets Broadway Directing Debut With 'The Cottage' Starring Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy & Lilli Cooper|publisher=Deadline|date=16 February 2023|accessdate=6 March 2023|archive-date=March 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306142846/https://deadline.com/2023/02/jason-alexander-broadway-the-cottage-eric-mccormack-laura-bell-bundy-lilli-cooper-1235261889/|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Solzman |first=Danielle |date=December 21, 2023 |title=dick-van-dyke-98-years-of-magic-airs-on-cbs |url=https://www.solzyatthemovies.com/2023/12/21/dick-van-dyke-98-years-of-magic-airs-on-cbs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228164217/https://www.solzyatthemovies.com/2023/12/21/dick-van-dyke-98-years-of-magic-airs-on-cbs/ |archive-date=December 28, 2023 |access-date=December 28, 2023}}

Alexander has been married to Daena E. Title, cousin of director Stacy Title, since May 31, 1982.{{cite web |last=Wallace |first=Amy |title=Director Stacy Title's Mission to Make 'Walking Time Bomb' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/stacy-title-director-walking-time-bomb.html |website=Vulture |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514151256/https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/stacy-title-director-walking-time-bomb.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=http://www.biography.com/people/jason-alexander-9542168#personal-life&awesm=~oBHYuHajasoqYd | work=The Biography Channel | title=Jason Alexander Biography – Facts, Birthday, Life Story – Biography.com | access-date=April 17, 2014 | archive-date=March 21, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321143003/https://www.biography.com/people/jason-alexander-9542168#personal-life&awesm=~oBHYuHajasoqYd | url-status=dead }} They have two sons, Gabriel{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/alexander.s-son-unimpressed-with-seinfeld|title=Alexander's Son Unimpressed With Seinfeld|date=November 26, 2004|magazine=Contactmusic.com|access-date=May 24, 2012}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.magiccastle.com/hall_of_fame/|title=Hall of Fame|website=The Academy of Magical Arts|date=July 2, 2014 |access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215304/http://www.magiccastle.com/hall_of_fame/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news | first=Gina | last=DiNunno | title=Jason Alexander Becomes Jenny Craig Spokesperson | date=January 6, 2010 | url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/jason-alexander-jenny-1013433/ | work=TV Guide | access-date=April 1, 2022 | archive-date=April 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402002028/https://www.tvguide.com/news/jason-alexander-jenny-1013433/ | url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.faustmanlab.org/ |title=faustmanlab.org |publisher=faustmanlab.org |access-date=February 20, 2013 |archive-date=March 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329012104/http://www.faustmanlab.org/ |url-status=live }} 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.

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{{Cite web |last=Kamaras |first=Jacob |date=October 12, 2012 |title=Millions raised, Stevie Wonder absence, Jason Alexander encore mark IDF gala |url=https://www.jns.org/millions-raised-stevie-wonder-absence-jason-alexander-encore-mark-idf-gala/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241004235416/https://www.jns.org/millions-raised-stevie-wonder-absence-jason-alexander-encore-mark-idf-gala/ |archive-date=4 October 2024 |access-date=5 October 2024 |website=Jewish News Syndicate}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Abunimah |first=Ali |date=2013-01-16 |title=Israeli fake peace group One Voice reveals its anti-Palestinian bigotry in Facebook graphics |url=https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/israeli-fake-peace-group-one-voice-reveals-its-anti-palestinian-bigotry-facebook |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=The Electronic Intifada |language=en}}{{bsn|date=December 2024}} 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."{{Cite web |date=2015-11-07 |title=IN PICTURES: Star-studded LA fundraiser rakes in $31 million for IDF |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/star-studded-la-fundraiser-rakes-in-31-million-for-idf-432285 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}

Alexander is a supporter of the Democratic Party.{{Cite tweet|number=1314089877848219648|user=ijasonalexander|title=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|first=Jason|last=Alexander|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=June 22, 2023}} Alexander supports same-sex marriage{{Cite web |date=2011-06-24 |title=New York Gay Marriage Ruling: What Hollywood Is Saying on Twitter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/new-york-gay-marriage-ruling-205558/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130053847/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/new-york-gay-marriage-ruling-205558/ |url-status=live }} and an assault weapons ban.{{Cite web |date=2012-07-23 |title=Jason Alexander's amazing gun rant |url=https://www.salon.com/2012/07/22/jason_alexanders_amazing_gun_rant/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Salon |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130053847/https://www.salon.com/2012/07/22/jason_alexanders_amazing_gun_rant/ |url-status=live }} In 2020, he campaigned for the Texas Democrats with former Seinfeld colleagues Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Larry David.{{Cite web |last=Strause |first=Jackie |date=2020-10-20 |title=A 'Fundraiser About Something': 'Seinfeld' Stars to Reunite for Texas Democrats |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/a-fundraiser-about-something-seinfeld-stars-to-reunite-for-texas-democrats-4079472/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426001858/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/a-fundraiser-about-something-seinfeld-stars-to-reunite-for-texas-democrats-4079472/ |url-status=live }} He endorsed Barack Obama in 2012{{Cite web |date=2019-03-21 |title=Obama Receives a Celebrity Endorsement at FSU |url=https://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Obama-Receives-a-Celebrity-Endorsement-at-FSU-173577571.html |access-date=2022-04-26 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321143004/https://networthfree.com/|archive-date=21 March 2019 |url-status=dead}} and Joe Biden in 2020. Alexander has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration{{Cite web |date=2017-02-22 |title='Seinfeld' Alum Jason Alexander Spars With Trump Supporters Over Gen. McMaster's George Costanza Reference |url=https://www.thewrap.com/jason-alexander-seinfeld-trump-general-mcmaster/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426001857/https://www.thewrap.com/jason-alexander-seinfeld-trump-general-mcmaster/ |url-status=live }} and he has ridiculed Donald Trump over his dancing.{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=2020-10-18 |title=Jason Alexander Compares Trump's Dance Moves to Those of Elaine Benes |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jason-alexander-compares-trumps-dance-moves-to-those-of-elaine-benes-4078752/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426001857/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jason-alexander-compares-trumps-dance-moves-to-those-of-elaine-benes-4078752/ |url-status=live }} He has called Republican Party senator Ted Cruz a jerk from the "jerk store" in reference to a joke from Seinfeld.{{Cite news|url = https://www.ccn.com/seinfeld-actor-jason-alexander-slams-jerk-ted-cruz-2020-presidential-burn/|title = Seinfeld Actor Jason Alexander Slams 'Jerk' Ted Cruz in 2020 Presidential Burn|date = May 7, 2019|newspaper = CCN.com|access-date = November 24, 2020|archive-date = November 8, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201108000455/https://www.ccn.com/seinfeld-actor-jason-alexander-slams-jerk-ted-cruz-2020-presidential-burn/|url-status = live}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Jason Alexander}}

• {{IBDB name}}
• {{iobdb name}}
• {{IMDb name}}
• {{Tcmdb name}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110929074255/http://www.sondheimreview.com/v6n2.htm#article A 1999 Interview] about his 1981 Broadway role in Merrily We Roll Along
• {{The Interviews name}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Jason Alexander

|list =

{{Academy of Magical Arts Parlour Magician of the Year}}

{{Academy of Magical Arts Junior Achievement Award}}

{{DramaDesk MusicalOutstandingActor 1975-2000}}

{{ScreenActorsGuildAward MaleTVComedy 1994-2009}}

{{TonyAward MusicalLeadActor 1976-2000}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Jason}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century American comedians

Category:20th-century American Jews

Category:20th-century American male actors

Category:21st-century American comedians

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:American magicians

Category:American male comedians

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male musical theatre actors

Category:American male television actors

Category:American male video game actors

Category:American male voice actors

Category:American sketch comedians

Category:American television directors

Category:Academy of Magical Arts Junior Achievement Award winners

Category:Academy of Magical Arts Parlour Magician of the Year winners

Category:Audiobook narrators

Category:Boston University College of Fine Arts alumni

Category:Comedians from Newark, New Jersey

Category:Drama Desk Award winners

Category:Jewish American male actors

Category:Jewish American comedians

Category:Jewish male comedians

Category:Jews from New Jersey

Category:Livingston High School (New Jersey) alumni

Category:Male actors from Livingston, New Jersey

Category:Male actors from Newark, New Jersey

Category:New Jersey Democrats

Category:Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners

Category:Tony Award winners