Judd Hirsch

Judd Seymore Hirsch, born March 15, 1935, is greatly acclaimed for his wide portfolio of roles in American television, theatre, and film. He earned prominence for playing Alex Rieger on the comedy series Taxi (1978–1983), John Lacey on the NBC series Dear John (1988–1992), and Alan Eppes on the CBS series Numb3rs (2005–2010). Hirsch's film roles are equally diverse and noteworthy, including Ordinary People (1980), Running on Empty (1988), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), and Uncut Gems (2019), among others. His acting excellence has won him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series twice, the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play twice, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

Hirsch's story traces back to his birth in the Bronx, New York, to a Jewish family. He later studied physics at City College of New York and acting at HB Studio and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Launching his career in the 1950s, Hirsch has since become one of the very few actors achieving seamless transitions among TV series, Broadway, and feature films. Key moments in his career include winning the Emmy Award for his role in Taxi, his Golden Globe Award win for Dear John, and noteworthy film performances in blockbusters like Independence Day and award-winning dramas like A Beautiful Mind. More recent roles include CBS's Numb3rs and acclaimed films like The Meyerowitz Stories and Uncut Gems.