Alan Mandell

Alan Mandell (born Albert Mandell on December 27, 1927) is a distinguished Canadian‑American actor whose career spans more than six decades across stage and screen. Born into a Jewish family in Toronto, Ontario, he began his theatrical work in the 1950s, quickly becoming a fixture of the vibrant San Francisco theater community. In 1968 he legally changed his given name from Albert to Alan to avoid confusion with the notorious mobster Albert Anastasia, a decision that marked the start of his professional identity as the name known today. Mandell’s early stage experience included a wide variety of classic and contemporary productions, allowing him to hone a subtle, intellectual style that would later define his reputation.

He is perhaps best known for his long‑standing association with the playwright Samuel Beckett, first appearing in a 1957 production of Waiting for Godot at the San Francisco Actor's Workshop. The following year he was cast by Beckett himself to play Lucky in a landmark staging of Godot, an experience that cemented his status as one of the foremost interpreters of Beckett’s existential texts. Beyond Beckett, Mandell has delivered memorable performances in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land and Arthur Miller’s The Price, demonstrating remarkable versatility. In recent years he gained wider recognition on screen, notably portraying Rabbi Marshak in the Coen Brothers’ 2009 film A Serious Man and appearing as Juror #9 in a 2007 Los Angeles production of Twelve Angry Men. His body of work reflects a dedication to challenging material and an ability to convey deep psychological nuance, making him a respected figure in both North American theater and film.