John Rubinstein
Birth Place: Los Angeles, CA, USA
PrideArts Will Perform LOVE LETTERS With Same-Sex Couples (Mar 26, 2026)
A Complete History of RAGTIME (Feb 8, 2026)
EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND is Coming to Laguna Playhouse (Dec 17, 2025)
BIO
He made his Broadway acting debut in 1972 and received a Theatre World Award for creating the title role in the musical Pippin, directed by Bob Fosse. In 1980 he won the Tony, Drama Desk, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, and Drama-Logue Awards for his portrayal of James Leeds in Mark Medoff's Children of a Lesser God, directed by Gordon Davidson.
Other Broadway appearances were in Neil Simon's Fools, directed by Mike Nichols, and Herman Wouk's The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, which earned him a Drama Desk nomination; he replaced William Hurt as Eddie in David Rabe's Hurlyburly, replaced David Dukes in David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly, and starred in Getting Away with Murder, by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, directed by Jack O'Brien, and Ragtime, by Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens. In 2014, he joined the Broadway cast of the hit revival of Pippin, directed by Diane Paulus, this time playing Pippin's father, Charlemagne; and subsequently repeated that role on the national tour throughout the United States and Japan in 2014–15.
In 2016, it was announced that he would join fellow Tony-winner Christian Borle in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Grandpa Joe, directed by Jack O'Brien.
Photos
Emma Pfaeffle, Jackie Hoffman, John Rubinstein, Christian Borle, Jake Ryan Flynn, Ryan Sell, Ryan Foust, Emily Padgett, Michael Wartella and cast during the Broadway Opening Performance Curtain Call of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' at the Lunt-Fonta
From: Photo Coverage: Take a Look Back on 2017's Top Curtain Call Moments!
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Awards and Nominations
John Rubinstein, Counsellor-at-Law
John Rubinstein, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
winner
John Rubinstein, Children of a Lesser God
winner
John Rubinstein, Children of a Lesser God
winner
John Rubinstein, Pippin
Videos
Video: John Rubinstein in EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND at North Coast Rep
by Joshua Wright - 2025-10-23 15:01:34
Video: Watch the Teaser Trailer for EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND
by Michael Major - 2025-05-13 14:19:33
Video: Preview of EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND Starring John Rubinstein
by Michael Major - 2025-04-25 13:00:08
BWW Video Exclusive: Judith Ivey, Lindsay Crouse, and More Talk MORNING'S AT SEVEN Off-Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - 2021-10-15 22:13:07
VIDEO: Fran Drescher and Priscilla Lopez Visit Marti Cummings' LGBTQ Talk Show STAGE FRIGHT
by Stephi Wild - 2018-06-19 08:06:43
VIDEO: Christian Borle & CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Cast Perform Medley on THE VIEW
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-10-31 12:08:36
VIDEO: Cast of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Perform on 'WENDY WILLIAMS'
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-10-25 14:47:01
TV Exclusive: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Takes Over Broadway Sessions!
by Ben Cameron - 2017-09-11 14:26:19
VIDEO: Get A First Look At CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY on Broadway
by Alan Henry - 2017-04-21 18:56:59
TV: Enter a World of Pure Imagination with the Cast of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY!
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-03-10 16:32:42
VIDEO: Matthew James Thomas & Sasha Allen Chat National Tour of PIPPIN
by Caryn Robbins - 2014-10-01 07:38:26
STAGE TUBE: A Touching Tribute to Broadway Casting Director Barry Moss
by Stage Tube - 2014-09-29 19:18:59
STAGE TUBE: Highlights from PIPPIN National Tour, Starring Sasha Allen, Matthew James Thomas & More!
by Tyler Peterson - 2014-09-15 13:34:39
STAGE TUBE: PIPPIN National Tour's Kyle Selig Shows Fans a Day in Life as Pippin in Anticipation of Denver Opening
by Sally Henry Fuller - 2014-08-23 20:08:18
News
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2026
PRIDEARTS will present A.R. Gurney’s LOVE LETTERS with same-sex couples on April 11-12 and 18-19 at the Center on Halsted. The production will feature four couples, two male and two female.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 8, 2026
The Broadway production of Ragtime was a glorious accomplishment, a riveting testament to the original American musical and to all that America itself could be. The show ran for 834 performances at the Ford Center, closing in the final year of the 20th century. It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, taking home four.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 17, 2025
Laguna Playhouse will present the third show of its 2025/2026 season with the new American play, EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND, written by Richard Hellesen and directed by Peter Ellenstein.
by BWW Staff - Oct 30, 2025
Los Angeles is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for November 2025 include Jaja’s African Hair Braiding and more.
by Joshua Wright - Oct 23, 2025
Get a first look at North Coast Repertory Theatre's production of EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND, starring Tony Award winner John Rubinstein as Dwight D. Eisenhower.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 23, 2025
North Coast Repertory Theatre will present EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND, starring Tony Award winner John Rubinstein as the former general and president.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 10, 2025
The Los Angeles Musical Theatre Studio has announced The Masterclass Series, a six-week program featuring six of Los Angeles's most esteemed theatre artists. Running from September 22 through October 27.
by Emmy Rice - Sep 7, 2025
The Los Angeles Musical Theatre Studio (LAMTS) has announced The Masterclass Series, a six-week program featuring six of Los Angeles's most esteemed theatre artists.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 6, 2025
Post-performance talkback hosts have been announced for the remaining eight performances of Committed? A Ritual for Robbie, written and performed by Lisa Robins and directed by Mitch Levine.
by Josh Sharpe - May 22, 2025
Tony Award-winners Lena Hall, Kecia Lewis, Patrick Page, and John Rubinstein, along with Caissie Levy and Joseph Cross, are all set to appear in the six-episode series Sub/liminal.
by Joshua Wright - May 20, 2025
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards took place on May 19, 2025, at The Anthem, honoring excellence in Washington D.C. theatre. Signature Theatre led with six wins. Awards were presented in 41 categories from 165 eligible 2024 productions.
by Michael Major - May 13, 2025
Watch the new teaser trailer video for Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground at New Los Angeles Repertory. Tony Award® winner John Rubinstein stars in a one-man tour de force about the five-star President who put people over party.
by Michael Major - Apr 25, 2025
Watch a preview of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground at New Los Angeles Repertory. Tony Award® winner John Rubinstein stars in a one-man tour de force about the five-star President who put people over party.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 25, 2025
Barrington Stage Company has unveield the initial casts for the 2025 Season, which will feature Camelot, a world premiere and more. See who is starring in the season and learn how to purchase tickets.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2025
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE has revealed its 2025-2026 season of shows! The season opens with the Tony award-winning musical, A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. See the full season lineup here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2025
BroadwayHD last night hosted an exclusive invite-only event on behalf of their streaming premiere of the Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert. See photos from the event here!
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2025
Explore the 2025 Helen Hayes Awards Nominees, including standout performances by Bonnie Milligan and Beanie Feldstein. The awards will be presented on Monday, May 19 at an event at The Anthem. The nominations are for productions in the Washington, DC, region in the 2024 calendar year.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 7, 2025
Barrington Stage Company has revealed the theatre’s 2025 season which includes seven productions, including two regional premieres and two world premieres. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2025
'Love Letters,' the timeless play by A.R. Gurney, will be presented for two dinner performances for Valentine's Day Weekend 2025, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday Feb. 14 and a matinee performance at 3 p.m. Sunday Feb. 16 on the Theatre at the Center stage at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, Ind.
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024
This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
John Rubinstein has appeared on Broadway in 11 shows.
John Rubinstein has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Counsellor-at-Law , Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Children of a Lesser God, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Children of a Lesser God and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Pippin.
John Rubinstein has won the following awards: Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Children of a Lesser God; Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Children of a Lesser God; and a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for Pippin.
Videos