Mike Nussbaum

Mike Nussbaum, born Myron Nussbaum on December 29, 1923 in New York City, was a distinguished American actor and director whose career spanned more than seven decades. Raised in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, he grew up in a Jewish family and later served in World War II, where he earned the nickname "G." to satisfy army roll‑call requirements and served as chief of the message center for General Dwight D. Eisenhower, even dispatching the formal notification of Germany's surrender. After the war he returned to Chicago, marrying Annette Brenner in 1949 and eventually joining an extermination business with his brother‑in‑law, a trade he pursued for twenty years before fully committing to the performing arts. His acting journey began in community theatre during the 1950s, and by the 1960s he was a central figure in Chicago’s burgeoning professional theatre scene, forming an early collaboration with playwright David Mamet that would lead to numerous stage and Broadway appearances. Nussbaum’s film résumé includes memorable roles in Field of Dreams, House of Games, Things Change, Fatal Attraction, and Men In Black, showcasing his versatility across genres. As a director he helmed projects such as Where Have You Gone, Jimmy Stewart? (2002) and became a familiar face in regional television commercials, famously delivering the jingle for Northwest Federal Savings and appearing in national spots for United Airlines and Scope mouthwash. Even in his nineties, he remained active, continuing to act and develop theatre projects up until his passing on December 23, 2023, just six days shy of his 100th birthday. His legacy is honored by multiple Jeff Awards and a lasting impact on both Chicago’s theatrical community and Hollywood productions.