A veteran actor who brought laughter and joy to audiences through his iconic roles in TV shows and films, particularly in the classic sitcom "Picket Fences".
Fyvush Finkel, the talented actor known for his iconic roles in Yiddish theater and television, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Born Philip Finkel on October 9, 1922, in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York City, Finkel would go on to become a household name, thanks to his riveting performances on stage and screen.
Finkel's parents, Mary Miryam and Harry Cwi Hirsh Finkel, Jewish immigrants from Belarus and Warsaw, respectively, instilled in him a love for the arts from a young age. At just 9 years old, Finkel took to the stage, beginning a lifelong journey in the world of Yiddish theater. For nearly 35 years, he honed his craft in the thriving Yiddish theaters of Manhattan's Lower East Side, as well as performing as a standup comic in the Catskills Borscht Belt.
In the early 1960s, as ethnic venues began to decline, Finkel made his Broadway debut in the original 1964 production of the musical Fiddler on the Roof, playing the role of Mordcha, the innkeeper. He would later play Lazar Wolf, the butcher, in the 1981 Broadway revival and eventually take on the lead role of Tevye the milkman in the national touring company.
Finkel's television career took off in the 1990s with his Emmy Award-winning role as lawyer Douglas Wambaugh on the series Picket Fences. He would go on to play Harvey Lipschultz, a cantankerous history teacher, on the television series Boston Public, solidifying his status as a beloved character actor.
Finkel's dedication to his craft was matched only by his love for his family. He was married to his wife, Gertrude, for over 60 years, until her passing in 2011. Together, they had two sons, Elliot and Ian.
Fyvush Finkel's remarkable career, spanning over seven decades, is a testament to his enduring talent, versatility, and passion for the arts. As a champion of Yiddish theater, he helped preserve a vital part of Jewish cultural heritage. His work on television, meanwhile, introduced him to a new generation of audiences, cementing his status as a beloved American actor.
Finkel's legacy serves as a reminder of the power of the arts to bring people together and transcend cultural boundaries. His storied career will continue to inspire generations of actors, writers, and directors to come.
"I played child parts till I was 14, 15, then my voice changed. So I decided to learn a trade and went to a vocational high school in New York. I studied to be a furrier, but I never worked at it." — Fyvush Finkel, recalling his early days in the Yiddish theater
"I was lucky to have had the career I had. I was lucky to have been able to make a living doing what I loved." — Fyvush Finkel, reflecting on his remarkable life and career
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