Paul Mann Explained

Paul Mann
Birth Date:December 2, 1913
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Death Place:Bronxville, New York, U.S.
Yearsactive:1929–1971

Paul Mann (December 2, 1913 – September 24, 1985) was a Canadian film and theatre actor, as well as founder of the Paul Mann Actor's Workshop. His brother was the actor Larry D. Mann.

Biography

Mann was influential in developing the concept of Method acting in America. While many other Method advocates (including Lee Strasberg) shared their knowledge at the Actors Studio, Mann taught his own classes at his Actor's Workshop, founded in 1953. Along with Lloyd Richards (a fellow Toronto native and chief assistant director of the school), Mann also managed to create a comfortable atmosphere for actors of all races. Alumni of his school include Ruby Dee, Billy Dee Williams, Ossie Davis, Sidney Poitier,[1] Al Lewis,[2] and Vic Morrow.[3]

Mann's own acting career was based primarily in theatre, beginning when he was sixteen. His onscreen appearances were limited to an episode of the 1950s television serial Danger and two feature film roles. The first was that of merchant Aleko Sinnikoglou in America, America (1963) (directed by his friend Elia Kazan) and the last was the village butcher Lazar Wolf in the screen adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof (1971). He was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for both films.[4]

Mann also was professor of acting and director of the theater arts program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Marinette County Campus.[5] A year before his death, Mann was found liable in a civil suit brought in Manhattan by eight female former students accusing him of sexual abuse and harassment and was ordered to pay them a total of $12,000.[6]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1963America, America Aleko Sinnikoglou
1971Fiddler on the Roof Lazar Wolf (final film role)

Theatre credits

In most recent order:

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Goudsouzian 2004, p. 96-97.
  2. Web site: Al Lewis : Biography. IMDb.com. 2017-07-20.
  3. Web site: Overview for Vic Morrow . Tcm.com . 2017-07-20.
  4. Web site: Golden Globe Awards for 'Paul Mann'. Golden Globe Awards. 26 October 2016.
  5. News: Wisconsin Professor Learns Kosher Butchering. Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. April 14, 1972. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. 13. Newspapers.com. October 26, 2016.
  6. News: NY Times article. The New York Times . August 1984 . 11 March 2018. Shenon . Philip .