Jack Axelrod

It was in his second year in New York City, when Jack Axelrod landed parts in a Broadway play and a Woody Allen film, that he narrowed his focus on theatre.

His life changed when he began what became six years of study with Uta Hagen, arguably the most astute and effective teacher of acting in the U.S. He appeared in regional theatres from Main to San Diego, and his most recent notable stage appearances were in the title role of Tuesday with Morrie in Laguna Beach, San Jose, and Walnut Creek. Other significant roles include Freud in Hysteria, Weller in The Gin Game, Nat Moyer in I’m Not Rappaport, Polonius in Hamlet, Al Lewis in The Sunshine Boys, and Solomon in The Prince. For five years, he toured in country with Kenny Rogers in his Christmas From The Heart concerts. He is a four-time recipient of Drama-Louge and Robby Awards, and his numerous television credits include the recent ABC TV movie Labor Pains as well as Grey’s Anatomy, My Name is Earl, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Frasier, Alias, and more. Older soap audiences may also remember him as mob boss Victor Jerome on General Hospital.

Jack has served as teacher and director on the faculties of several schools, notably Penn State, Temple, Boston, and Cal State Universities, as well as the Universities of Wisconsin and Michigan.