Ben Gazzara Headshot

Ben Gazzara

Date of Death: February 03, 2012 (81)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Ben Gazzara BIO

Ben Gazzara was an American actor known for his work in film, television, and theater. Born in New York City in 1930, Gazzara began his acting career in the 1950s, making his Broadway debut in 1953 in the play "End as a Man." He quickly gained recognition for his talent and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role in "A Hatful of Rain" in 1956.
Gazzara continued to work on Broadway throughout the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in productions such as "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Night Circus," and "Nobody Loves an Albatross." In 1965, he starred in the original production of "The Strange Case of the Three Sisters," a play written and directed by avant-garde theater legend Robert Wilson.
In addition to his work on stage, Gazzara also had a successful career in film and television. He appeared in over 60 films, including "Anatomy of a Murder," "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie," and "The Big Lebowski." He was also a frequent collaborator of director John Cassavetes, appearing in several of his films, including "Husbands," "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie," and "Opening Night."
On television, Gazzara was best known for his role as Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak in the popular police procedural "Kojak," which aired from 1973 to 1978. He also appeared in several other television series, including "Run for Your Life," "Arrest and Trial," and "The Sopranos."
Despite his success in film and television, Gazzara remained committed to the theater throughout his career. In 1984, he starred in a revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on Broadway, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the troubled patriarch, Big Daddy. He also appeared in several Off-Broadway productions, including "Nobody Don't Like Yogi" and "Nobody Dies on Friday."
Gazzara's last Broadway appearance was in the 2002 revival of Arthur Miller's "The Price," in which he played the role of Gregory Solomon. He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance.
Gazzara continued to work in film and television until his death in 2012 at the age of 81. His final film role was in the independent drama "Believe in Me," which was released posthumously in 2013.

Ben Gazzara STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2006
Jacob Berger

[Broadway]
1992
Eric Dawson

[Broadway]
1976
George

[Broadway]
1964
Gaston

[Broadway]
1963
Edmund Darrell

[Broadway]
1958
Joy

[Broadway]
1955
Johnny Pope

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1955
Brick

[Broadway]
1953
Jocko de Paris


Ben Gazzara Movies

The Strange One
[ 1957 ] Jocko De Paris
Anatomy of a Murder
[ 1959 ] Lt. Frederick Manion
The Passionate Thief
[ 1960 ] Lello
The Young Doctors
[ 1961 ] Dr. David Coleman
Convicts 4
[ 1962 ] John Resko
Conquered City
[ 1962 ] Captain George Stubbs
A Rage to Live
[ 1965 ] Roger Bannon
The Bridge at Remagen
[ 1969 ] Sgt. Angelo
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium
[ 1969 ] Card Player
Husbands
[ 1970 ] Harry
The Sicilian Connection
[ 1972 ] GiuseppeJoeCoppola
The Neptune Factor
[ 1973 ] Cmdr. Adrian Blake
Capone
[ 1975 ] Al Capone
High Velocity
[ 1976 ] Clifford Baumgartner
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
[ 1976 ] Cosmo Vittelli
Voyage of the Damned
[ 1976 ] Troper, Morris Troper
Opening Night
[ 1977 ] Manny Victor
Bloodline
[ 1979 ] Rhys Williams
Saint Jack
[ 1979 ] Jack Flowers
Storie di ordinaria follia
[ 1981 ] Charles Serking
Inchon
[ 1981 ] Maj. Frank Hallsworth
They All Laughed
[ 1981 ] John Russo
The Girl from Trieste
[ 1982 ] Dino Romani
A Proper Scandal
[ 1984 ] The man with no memory
Woman of Wonders
[ 1985 ] Alberto
My Dearest Son
[ 1985 ] Avv. Antonio Morelli
The Professor
[ 1986 ] Il Professore
Control
[ 1987 ] Mike Zella
Don Bosco
[ 1988 ] Don Bosco
Quicker Than the Eye
[ 1988 ] Ben Norrell
Road House
[ 1989 ] Brad Wesley
Champagne amer
[ 1989 ] Paul Rivière
Beyond the Ocean
[ 1990 ] John Tana
Forever
[ 1991 ] Marcello Rondi
Sherwood's Travels
[ 1994 ] Raphael de Pietro
Les hirondelles ne meurent pas à Jerusalem
[ 1994 ] Moshe
The Zone
[ 1995 ] Dick Althorp
Bandits
[ 1995 ] Amos
Nefertiti, figlia del sole
[ 1995 ] Amenophis III
Ladykiller
[ 1996 ] Lt. JackJigsawLky
Vicious Circles
[ 1997 ] March
Stag
[ 1997 ] Frank Grieco
Shadow Conspiracy
[ 1997 ] Vice President Saxon
The Spanish Prisoner
[ 1997 ] Klein
Farmer & Chase
[ 1997 ] Farmer
Happiness
[ 1998 ] Lenny Jordan
Illuminata
[ 1998 ] Old Flavio
The Big Lebowski
[ 1998 ] Jackie Treehorn
Buffalo '66
[ 1998 ] Jimmy Brown
Too Tired to Die
[ 1998 ] John Sage
Paradise Cove
[ 1999 ] Duke Mantee
Summer of Sam
[ 1999 ] Luigi
Shark in a Bottle
[ 1999 ] The Arranger
The Thomas Crown Affair
[ 1999 ] Andrew Wallace
Jack of Hearts
[ 1999 ] Bartossa
Blue Moon
[ 2000 ] Frank Cavallo
Poor Liza
[ 2000 ] The Narrator
Nobody's Heart
[ 2000 ] L avvocato Scalzi
Very Mean Men
[ 2000 ] Gino Minetti
Believe
[ 2000 ] Ellicott Winslowe
Undertaker's Paradise
[ 2000 ] Jim
The List
[ 2000 ] D.A. Bernard Salman
Dogville
[ 2003 ] Jack McKay
L'ospite segreto
[ 2003 ] Solomos
Bonjour Michel
[ 2005 ] Michele Terranova
Schubert
[ 2005 ] Don José
The Shore
[ 2006 ] Mr. Bob Harris
Looking for Palladin
[ 2008 ] Jack Palladin
Holy Money
[ 2009 ] Vatican's Banker
Christopher Roth
[ 2010 ] Paul Andersen
13
[ 2010 ] Schlondorff
Chez Gino
[ 2011 ] Oncle Giovanni
Ristabbànna
[ 2011 ] Natale

Ben Gazzara TV Shows

Run for Your Life
Paul Bryan

Ben Gazzara Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Ben Gazzara, Nobody Don't Like Yogi

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Ben Gazzara, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Ben Gazzara, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Ben Gazzara, Hughie and Duet

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Ben Gazzara, A Hatful of Rain


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1954 - Performance

Ben Gazzara, End as a Man

Ben Gazzara News


Bay Street Theater Announces An Exciting And Diverse Line-up Of Winter Classes


Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has announced its Winter 2024 line-up of classes and workshops offering something for everyone in the community.

The Actors Studio to Present AREYTO Celebration of Latine Scene Work, Poetry, Song & Dance


This weekend, The Actors Studio will continue its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights.

ON THE FLY 2023: THEN & NOW to be Presented at The Actors Studio This Weekend


This weekend, The Actors Studio continues its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights.

The Actors Studio to Host Events Featuring Lois Smith & Celebrations of BIPOC Membership in May


In May, The Actors Studio will continue its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights.

The Actors Studio to Present Three Day Celebration of Estelle Parsons


The Actors Studio will continue its 75th Anniversary celebration with a three-day celebration of one of its most influential members, Academy Award winner and Co-Associate Artistic Director of The Actors Studio, Estelle Parsons.

Interview: Kate Baldwin and Aaron Lazar of ALL FOR YOU at 54 Below


The two Broadway stars are back for an encore of their hit show with the American Pops Orchestra.

The Ensemble Company To Present Explosive WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?


The Ensemble Company, now in their fifth year in residence at Penguin Point Productions located within the Oviedo Mall, continues its 2023 season with a production of Edward Albee's masterpiece, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which celebrated 60 years in 2022.  Virginia Woolf is rescheduled from The Ensemble Company's 2022 season.

The Actors Studio to Present THE PLAYWRIGHT: TALES FROM THE COLOR LINE This Spring


Continuing  its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights The Actors Studio will open its doors to the public for a special event, free and open to the public: The Playwright: Tales From The Color Line on Saturday, March 25 at 7PM.

The Actors Studio to Welcome the Public to Free Events, Including Play Readings & More


This Spring, The Actors Studio continues its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights.

The Actors Studio to Welcome the Public Inside its Doors for ACTORS STUDIO IN PROCESS


 The Actors Studio will open its doors to the public to observe “Actors Studio In Process” on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 at 7PM.

Chazz Palminteri, Bobby Moresco & More to be Featured in The Actors Studio February Events


In February, The Actors Studio will continue its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights.

The Actors Studio to Host Three Special 75th Anniversary Events in December


Starting this week, The Actors Studio will continue its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights. In December, the legendary studio will open its doors to the public for with three special events, each free and open to the public.

The Actors Studio Hosts Three Special 75th Anniversary Events This December


This December, The Actors Studio continues its 75th Anniversary celebration as the world's most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors and playwrights. The legendary studio, located at 432 West 44th Street, will open its doors to the public for with three special events, each free and open to the public.

The Actors Studio to Welcome the Public Inside its Doors for ACTORS STUDIO IN PROCESS


The Actors Studio, now celebrating 75 years as the world’s most celebrated and influential membership association for professional actors, directors & playwrights, will open its doors to the public to observe “Actors Studio In Process” on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 at 7PM.

The Actors Studio to Present Conversation With Al Pacino & DOG DAY AFTERNOON Screening for 75th Anniversary


The Actors Studio will host a 75th Anniversary benefit screening of the Academy Award-winning film Dog Day Afternoon, followed by a live interview with the film’s star and The Actors Studio co-president Al Pacino. The Gala event will take place Thursday, October 27 at 7PM, the United Palace.

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre Announces Passing of Founding Member Ernest Abuba


Pan Asian Repertory Theatre announced today the passing of founding member and company senior artist Ernest Abuba, the award-winning actor, playwright, screenwriter, and director on stage, film, and television, following a brief illness.

USED AND BORROWED TIME to Premiere at Quad Cinema in May


With live audience events finally able to return to New York art houses, 'Used and Borrowed Time,' written and directed by Sophia Romma, will have its red carpet world premiere May 7 at 7:00 PM at Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street in Greenwich Village.

Introducing PLAY OF THE DAY! Today's Play: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF By Tennessee Williams


During this time when productions all over the world have been put on pause, we are coming together to celebrate plays that have left their mark on theater history.

Giant Pictures Acquires CABARET MAXIME, Starring Michael Imperioli


Giant Pictures has acquired the US rights for Bruno de Almeida's new movie, Cabaret Maxime, starring Michael Imperioli. It will open theatrically at the Metrograph in NYC on February 21st, ahead of a national, multi-platform rollout on March 3rd.

ABC News' 20/20 Presents Two-Hour TV Event on Dorothy Stratten, Friday, Oct. 18


At age 18, Dorothy Stratten left her job at a Dairy Queen and moved to Hollywood, soon becoming famous as the 1980 Playboy ”Playmate of the Year.” In Los Angeles, Dorothy captivated the attention of legendary Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, who had big plans for her in the Playboy empire, and powerful movie director Peter Bogdanovich, who cast her in a breakthrough role in his film “They All Laughed,” alongside iconic actors Audrey Hepburn, John Ritter and Ben Gazzara. But Paul Snider, who discovered Dorothy at the Dairy Queen and married her after they moved to Hollywood, grappled with jealousy and anger when she filed for divorce, viewing her as his ticket to success. Dorothy's modeling and acting career came to a tragic end when Paul shot and killed her before he died by suicide. Now, almost 40 years after Dorothy's death, a two-hour “20/20” takes a look at her life and career through the eyes of those who knew her best and explores what drove Paul to murder. “20/20” airs Friday, Oct. 18 (9:00 – 11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

Ben Gazzara FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ben Gazzara been in?

Ben Gazzara has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Ben Gazzara been in?

Ben Gazzara has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Ben Gazzara been nominated for?

Ben Gazzara has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Outstanding Solo Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for his role in "Nobody Don't Like Yogi." He also received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for his performance in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." Additionally, Gazzara was nominated for Outstanding Actor - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for the same production. He received nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for his roles in "Hughie," "Duet," and "A Hatful of Rain." Gazzara was also recognized with a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for his work in "End as a Man."

What awards has Ben Gazzara won?

Ben Gazzara has won the Outstanding Solo Performance award at the Drama Desk Awards for his performance in "Nobody Don't Like Yogi". He has also won the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for his role in "End as a Man".

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