Jerry Zaks
Jerry Zaks, born on September 7, 1946, to Holocaust concentration camp survivors, Sy Zaksand Lily Gliksman in Stuttgart, Germany. His family moved to the United States in 1948. He earned MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) at Dartmouth's Smith College...his parents had pushed him towards a medical degree but his path was theater.
Zaks is a highly respected director and actor known for his significant contributions to both Broadway and television and has crafted a distinguished career characterized by his innovative directorial style and his ability to bring both classic and contemporary works to life on stage.
Zaks began his career as an actor before transitioning to directing, where he truly made his mark. His extensive Broadway portfolio includes a number of critically acclaimed productions. Some of his most notable works include directing the original productions of "Lend Me a Tenor" (1989), "Guys and Dolls" (1992), and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (1996). He also directed successful revivals such as "The House of Blue Leaves" (1986) and "Anything Goes" (1987), showcasing his ability to breathe new life into classic material.
His directorial prowess continued into the 2000s with a series of successful projects, including "Little Shop of Horrors" (2003) and "The Addams Family" (2010). He was also behind the acclaimed production of "La Cage aux Folles" (2004), which solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the theater world.
Zaks's work has not been limited to theater alone. He has also made notable contributions to television. His TV credits include directing episodes of popular series such as "Two and a Half Men" (2006–2007), "Hope & Faith" (2004), and "The Edge of Night" (1983–1984). His versatility and skill in directing both stage and screen projects highlight his broad range of talents.
He has been recognized with numerous accolades throughout his career, including several Tony Award nominations and wins. His work on "Guys and Dolls" earned him a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, and he has received Drama Desk Awards for his outstanding direction in productions such as "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum".
Jerry Zaks continues to be a significant force in the theater community, bringing his unique vision and expertise to every project he undertakes. His dedication to the craft and his ability to connect with audiences have cemented his legacy as one of the leading directors of his generation.
Zaks is married to actress Jill Rose (m: 1979), they have two children, Emma and Hannah.
Film
1993
The Goodbye Girl - supporting actor
1992
Husbands and Wives - Dinner Party Guests
1989
Crimes and Misdemeanors - Man on Campus
1987
Outrageous Fortune - Tobacco Clerk
1984
The Mistral's Daughter - supporting actor
The Big Chill - supporting actor
Who Do You Love
1996
Marvin's Room
2000
The Beat - (1 episode) in Can I Get a Witness
1983–1984
The Edge of Night - Louis Van Dine (24 episodes)
1982
The Wall
1981
The Gentleman Bandit - Carl Schnee
1980
Attica - Lenny Becker
1973
M*A*S*H - Cpl. Phil Walker (1 episode) in L.I.P (Local Indigenous Personnel)
The New Temperatures Rising Show (1 episode) in The Misguided Appendectomy
2006–2007
Two and a Half Men - Director (3 episodes)
2004
Hope & Faith - (2 episodes)
Married to the Kellys - (1 episode)
All About the Andersons - (2 episodes)
2003
Charlie Lawrence - (1 episode)
Frasier - (4 episodes)
Bram and Alice - (7 episodes)
Julie Lydecker -
2001
Kristin - (2 episodes)
2000
The Man Who Came to Dinner - (directed for the stage by)
O. Henry's Christmas - (segment The Last Leaf)
Tintypes - Master of Ceremonies (Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, NY)
Once in a Lifetime - Weisskopf (Original) (Criterion Center Stage Right, New York City, NY)
Grease - Kenickie (Replacement) (Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City, NY)
Face Value (Nederlander Theatre, New York City, NY)
2022
The Music Man (Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, NY)
Mrs. Doubtfire (Stephan Sondheim Theatre, New York City, NY)
2019
2017
Meteor Shower (The Booth Theatre, New York City, NY)
2017
Hello, Dolly! (Shubert Theatre, New York City, NY)
2016
A Bronx Tale The Musical (Longacre Theatre, New York City, NY)
2011
Sister Act (Broadway Theatre, New York City, NY)
2007
A Bronx Tale (Longacre Theatre, New York City, NY)
2006
Losing Louie (Court Theatre, New York City, NY)
2006
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Lyceum Theatre, New York City, NY)
2004
La Cage Aux Folles (Palace Theatre, New York City, NY)
2003
Little Shop of Horrors (The Playhouse Theatre, New York City, NY)
2001
45 Seconds from Broadway (Neil Simon Theatre, New York City, NY)
2000
The Man Who Came to Dinner (The Roundabout Theatre, New York City, NY; Todd Haines Theatre, NYC, NY)
1999
Epic Proportions (Royale Theatre, New York City, NY)
1999
Civil War (Virginia Theatre - now known as the August Wilson Theatre, New York City, NY)
1996
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York City, NY)
1995
Smokey Joe's Cafe (Virginia Theatre - now known as the August Wilson Theatre)
Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York City, NY)
1992
Guys and Dolls (Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, NY)
1990
Six Degrees of Separation (Ethyl Barrymore Theatre, New York City, NY)
1989
Lend Me a Tenor (Lyceum Theatre, New York City, NY)
1987
Anything Goes (Vivian Beaumont Theatre, New York City, NY)
1986
The Front Page (Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, NY)
1986
The House of Blue Leaves (Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York City, NY)
Theatre Creative Consultant
The Addams Family (Lunt-Fontaine Theatre, New York City, NY)
The It Girl
Radio
1983
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - The Original Radio Drama - Various (voice) (4 episodes)
Rec'd induction into Theatre Hall of Fame
2018
Nom for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play - Meteor Shower
2017
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Musical - Hello, Dolly!
2011
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Musical - Sister Act
2006
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Play - The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
1999
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Musical - The Civil War
1996
Rec'd for Outstanding Director of a Musical - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
1992
Rec'd for Outstanding Director of a Musical - Guys and Dolls
1991
Rec'd for Outstanding Director of a Play - Six Degrees of Separation
1991
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Musical - Assassins
1989
Rec'd for Outstanding Director of a Play - Lend Me a Tenor
1988
Rec'd for Outstanding Director - Wencelas Square
1988
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Musical - Anything Goes
1986
Rec'd for Outstanding Director of a Play - The House of Blue Leaves
1980
Nom for Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Tintypes
Outer Critics Circle:
2022
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Musical - Mrs. Doubtfire
2017
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Musical - Hello, Dolly!
2006
Nom for Outstanding Director of a Play - The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
1996
Rec'd for Outstanding Director of a Musical - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Tony Award:
2017
Nom for Best Direction of a Musical - Hello, Dolly!
1996
Nom for Best Direction of a Musical - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
1995
Nom for Best Direction of a Musical - Smokey Joe's Cafe
1992
Rec'd for Best Direction of a Musical - Guys and Dolls
1991
Rec'd for Best Direction of a Play - Six Degrees of Separation
1989
Rec'd for Best Direction of a Play - Lend Me a Tenor
1988
Nom for Best Direction of a Musical - Anything Goes
1986
Rec'd for Best Direction of a Play - The House of Blue Leaves
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