John Rubinstein
John Rubinstein (born December 8, 1946) is an American actor, composer and director.
Also recorded as John Arthur Rubinstein
John Rubinstein

Melesse · Public domain
- Born
- 8 December 1946
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Occupation
- * Actor
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- acting · music · film direction
- Education
- UCLA School of Theater and Film and Television · Collegiate School
- Honours
- Theatre World Award · Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play · Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor
- Languages
- English
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
John Rubinstein (born December 8, 1946) is an American actor, composer and director.
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Note VALÉORINE
John Rubinstein (born 1946) is an American actor, composer and director, among other activities. The actor was born in Los Angeles.
John Rubinstein studied at Collegiate School and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. The actor is active in acting, film direction and music.
Languages used include English. John Rubinstein received Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Theatre World Award and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
John Rubinstein studied at UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and Collegiate School. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is acting, music and film direction. Distinctions recorded are Theatre World Award, Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Key facts
Key facts
• Born — 8 December 1946 • Birthplace — Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Occupation — * Actor • composer • director • Years Active — 1967–present • Children — 5, including Jacob Rubinstein, Peter Rubinstein, and Michael Weston
Early life
Early life
Rubinstein is the son of Polish parents. His mother, Aniela (née Młynarska), a dancer and writer, was a Roman Catholic native of Warsaw, the daughter of conductor Emil Młynarski. His father was Polish-Jewish concert pianist Arthur Rubinstein. He attended El Rodeo Public School in Beverly Hills (K–2), Cours La Cascade in Paris, France (1954), and St. Bernard's School (3–8) and Collegiate School (New York City) (9–12) in New York City. He studied theater and music at the University of California, Los Angeles (1964–1967), and later composition at the Juilliard School in New York.
Theater
Theater
Rubinstein 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 Rubinstein would join fellow Tony-winner Christian Borle in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Grandpa Joe, directed by Jack O'Brien. In 2023 he starred in the one man biographical show Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground debuting Off-Broadway at the St. Clemens Theatre in New York City and subsequently touring around the US. The show portrays the former president at his home in retirement, working on his second autobiography, reminiscing about his life and musing about his popularity and how he will be remembered. He taught a course in musical theater audition techniques at the University of Southern California, and directed their spring musicals.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1967 — Dragnet — Paul Whidden — Episode: "The Grenade" • The Virginian — Billy Simmons — Episode: "The Deadly Past" • Ironside — 2nd Hippie — Episode: "The Leaf in the Forest" • 1969 — Room 222 — Martin Kaufman — Episode: "The Flu" • 1970 — The Bold Ones: The Protectors — Private Kelley — Episode: "A Thing Not of God" • 1970 — The Young Lawyers — Dan Fulton — Episode: "We May Be Better Strangers" • 1970 — The Psychiatrist: God Bless the Children — Teddy — Television film • 1971 — Matt Lincoln — Christopher — Episode: "Christopher" • 1971 — Men at Law — Ron Martin — Episode: "Hostage" • 1971 — Nichols — Fred Buckerman — Episode: "Paper Badge" • 1971 — The Psychiatrist — Randell File — Episode: "Ex-Sgt. Randell File, U.S.A." • 1971 — The Mod Squad — Larry Wheeler — Episode: "Survival" • A Howling in the Woods — Justin Conway — Television film • 1972 — Something Evil — Ernest Lincoln — Television film • Cannon — Larry Bolinger — Episode: "A Deadly Quiet Town" • The Mary Tyler Moore Show — Matt, Jr. — Episode: "You Certainly Are a Big Boy" • 1972, 1977 — The Streets of San Francisco — Lindy/Walter J. Young — 2 episodes • Hawaii Five-O — Harold/Joey Kalima — 2 episodes • 1975 — All Together Now — Bill Lindsay — Television film • Police Woman — Tommy Donlevy — Episode: "Glitter with a Bullet" • Mr. & Ms. and the Magic Studio Mystery — David — Television film • Wide World Mystery — David — Episode: "Mr. & Mrs. and the Bandstand Mystery" • Movin' On — Gershon Simenov — Episode: "Stowaway" • 1975–1976 — Harry O — Jack Dawes/Richard Trask — 2 episodes • Barnaby Jones — Chris Garrison/Larry Christopher — 2 episodes • 1976 — The Quest: The Longest Drive — Wakely — Television film • Barbary Coast — Garrison — Episode: "The Dawson Marker" • The Rookies — Dr. Richard Komansky — Episode: "The Mugging" • The Quest — Wakely — 2 episodes • 1976–1980 — Family — Jeff Maitland — 12 episodes • 1977 — Corey: For the People — Dan Corey — Television film • Lou Grant — Andrew Martin — Episode: "Hostages" • What Really Happened to the Class of '65? — Jaik — Episode: "The Girl Nobody Knew" • Wonder Woman — Major Dexter — Episode: "The Deadly Toys" • 1978 — Happily Ever After — Richy — Television film • 1978–1987 — The Love Boat — George Allison/Jack Forbes/Allan Davis — 4 episodes • 1979 — Vega$ — Vance Spilroy — Episode: "Best Friends" • Roots: The Next Generations — Lieutenant Hamilton Ten Eyck — Miniseries • The French Atlantic Affair — Herb Kleinfeld — Miniseries • She's Dressed to Kill — Alan Lenz — Television film • 1979, 1984 — Fantasy Island — Johnny Court/Donald King — 2 episodes • 1980 — Make Me an Offer — Dr. Max Westcott — Television film • The Silent Lovers — Irving Thalberg — Television film • 1981 — Killjoy — Dr. Paul Trenton — Television film • Skokie — Herb Lewisohn — Television film • 1982 — Freedom to Speak — William Lloyd Garrison/Patrick Henry/Charles Lindbergh/Rabbi Stephen Wise — Miniseries • Quincy M.E. — Dr. Walter Ross — Episode: "Unreasonable Doubt" • 1983 — I Take These Men — David Koenig — Television film • Trapper John, M.D. — Hank Palmer — Episode: "Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow" • M.A.D.D.: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers — Steve White — Television film • Emerald Point N.A.S. — Lt. Cmdr. Edwards — 3 episodes • 1984 — The Paper Chase — Professor Wendell Peterson — Episode: "Judgement Day" • 1984–1986 — Crazy Like a Fox — Harrison Fox — 35 episodes • 1987 — The Two Mrs. Grenvilles — Bratsie Bleeker — Television film • Still Crazy Like a Fox — Harrison Fox, Jr. — Television film • Jake and the Fatman — Brent Moore — Episode: "Happy Days Are Here Again" • 1988 — Highway to Heaven — Matthew — Episode: "Time in a Bottle" • Hotel — Cliff Phillips — Episode: "Aftershocks" • Beryl Markham: A Shadow on the Sun — Arthur Kane — Television film • Sam Found Out: A Triple Play — Johnny — Television film • Liberace — Jamie — Television film • Matlock — Carl Benedict/Dr.Douglas Clark — 4 episodes • 1990 — Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase — Norman De Roin — Miniseries • 1991 — Father Dowling Mysteries — Tim — Episode: "The Prodigal Son Mystery" • 1992 — In My Daughter's Name — Ban Worrall — Television film • Murder, She Wrote — George Foster — Episode: "The Classic Murder" • 1993 — The American Clock — Moe Baumler — Television film • Frasier — Phillip Hayson — Episode: "The Crucible" • Against the Grain — Mr. O’Brien — Episode: "E Pluribus Unum" • 1994 — RoboCop — Chip Chayken — 4 episodes • NYPD Blue — Mr. Bernstein — Episode: "Double Abandando" • 1994, 1996 — Diagnosis: Murder — Thomas Taylor/Peter Trent — 2 episodes • 1994, 1997 — Party of Five — Walter Alcott — 2 episodes • 1995 — Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman — Emmet Vale — Episode: "Metallo" • Star Trek: Voyager — John Evansville — Episode: "The 37s" • 1996 — Norma Jean & Marilyn — Darryl F. Zanuck — Television film • Superman: The Animated Series — Peterson (voice) — Episode: "A Little Piece of Home" • Early Edition — Marcus — Episode: "The Choice" • 1997 — ER — Dr. Kenner — Episode: "Night Shift" • The Sleepwalker Killing — Dr. Frank Corrigan — Television film • 1998 — The Practice — Judge Joseph Papp — 3 episodes • 2000 — Perfect Murder, Perfect Town — Rev. Hoverstock — Television film • Family Law — Garwicz — Episode: "Family Values" • 2001 — Boston Public — Judge Joseph Papp — Episode: "Chapter Thirteen" • The West Wing — Sen. Andy Ritter — Episode: "18th and Potomac" • Gideon's Crossing — Larry Palmer — Episode: "Clinical Enigma" • 2001–2002 — Angel — Linwood Murrow — 6 episodes • 2002 — Judging Amy — James Pierpoint — Episode: "Can They Do That with Vegetables?" • The District — George Wilson — Episode: "Wasteland" • She Spies — Senator Thomas Jefferson Mitchell — Episode: "First Episode" • The Guardian — Sen. Nathan Caldwell — 4 episodes • 2002, 2004 — Star Trek: Enterprise — Mazarite Captain, Minister Kuvak — 3 episodes • 2003 — Without a Trace — Dr. Feldman — Episode: "Underground Railroad" • Kôkaku kidôtai: Stand Alone Complex — Ernest Serano (voice) — Episode: "Stand Alone Complex" • Charmed — Dr. Berenson — Episode: "Cat House" • 24 — Secretary of State — 2 episodes • The Division — Doctor Bertman — Episode: "Diagnosis" • The Lyon's Den — Mr. Woodard — Episode: "The Other Side of Caution" • Strong Medicine — Lyle LaCouer — Episode: "Prescriptions" • NCIS — CIA Director Bob — Episode: "Marine Down" • 2004 — Becker — Dickie — Episode: "Subway Story" • The Parkers — Jonathan — Episode: "She's Positive" • Friends — The Doctor — 2 episodes • 2005 — Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution — Mark Geragos — Television film • The Closer — Dr. Brown — Episode: "Pilot" • Jane Doe: The Wrong Face — Phil Raphaelson — Television film • Mrs. Harris — Tarnower's Best Friend — Television film • Barbershop — Nicholas Kane — 3 episodes • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit — Judge Schuyler — Episode: "Raw" • House M.D. — Dr. Ayersman — Episode: "The Mistake" • 2006 — Law & Order — Mr. Thurber — Episode: "Heart of Darkness" • Related — Dr. Shapiro — Episode: "The Godmother" • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation — Judge Crawford — Episode: "The Unusual Suspect" • Cold Case — Rafe Gray — Episode: "Willkommen" • Criminal Minds — Hayden Rawlings — Episode: "P911" • Shark — Lance Horning — Episode: "Russo" • Girlfriends — Dr. Wulfberg — 3 episodes • 2006–2007 — Day Break — Barry Colburn — 5 episodes • 2007 — Jekyll — Daniel Carew — Miniseries • 2008 — Sweet Nothing in My Ear — Dr. Flynt — Television film; uncredited • 2008 — Eli Stone — Damon Smalls — Episode: "The Humanitarian" • 2008 — Dirty Sexy Money — Dr. Zwerling — 3 episodes • 2009 — Supernatural — Charlie — Episode: "Criss Angel Is a Douche Bag" • Brothers & Sisters — Dr. Marc Wilson — Episode: "Owning It" • Numb3rs — Gene Evans — Episode: "Disturbed" • Hawthorne — Dr. Lee — Episode: "No Guts, No Glory" • Greek — Dr. Larsen — 2 episodes • 2009–2010 — The Young and the Restless — Dr. Charles Taylor — 12 episodes • 2009–2012 — Desperate Housewives — Principal Hobson — 7 episodes • 2011 — Wizards of Waverly Place — Gorog — 4 episodes • 2012 — Electric City — Richard "Dick" Jacobs — Web series • 2013 — Bones — Mick Warren — Episode: "The Twist in the Plot" • 2014 — Jessie — Ivan — Episode: "Spaced Out" • 2016 — Legends of Tomorrow — Albert Einstein — Episode: "Out of Time" • 2017 — Feud: Bette and Joan — George Cukor — 2 episodes • 2018 — Chilling Adventures of Sabrina — Daniel Webster — Episode: "The Trial of Sabrina Spellman" • Dirty John — Old William — Episode: "Lord High Executioner" • Mom — Professor Addison — Episode: "Pre-Washed Lettuce and a Mime" • The Orville — Prefect — Episode: "All the World is Birthday Cake" • 2019 — Proven Innocent — Clifford — Episode: "SEAL Team Deep Six" • For All Mankind — Dr. Marsden — Episode: "Rupture" • Pearson — Allan Steiner — Episode: "The Donor" • Young Sheldon — Rabbi Schneiderman — Episode: "Albert Einstein and the Story of Another Mary" • 2020 — AJ and the Queen — Doctor — Episode: "Baton Rouge" • 2021–2022 — Claws — Baron Axel von Reichler — 6 episodes • 2025 — Sub/liminal
Theatre
Theatre
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1967 — Camelot — Mordred — Melodyland Theatre • 1972 — Pippin — Pippin — Kennedy Center • 1972-1974 — Broadway • 1980-1982 — Children of a Lesser God — James Leeds • 1983 — The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial — Lt. Barney Greenwald • 1985 — Merrily We Roll Along — Franklin Shepard — La Jolla Playhouse • 1989-1990 — M. Butterfly — René Gallimard — Broadway • 1989 — Love Letters — Andrew Makepeace Ladd III • 1990 — Kiss of the Spider Woman — Molina — The PepsiCo Theatre • 1995 — Camelot — King Arthur — The Muny • The Doctor is Out — Martin Chisholm — Old Globe Theatre • 1996 — Getting Away With Murder — Broadway • 1996-1997 — Into the Woods — The Baker — Interact Theatre Company • 1997-1998 — Ragtime — Tateh — Shubert Theatre • 1998 — Meridian Arts Centre • 1998-1999 — Broadway • 2000 — Enigma Variations — Erik Larsen — Royal Alexandra Theatre • 2001 — A Little Night Music — Fredrik Egerman — Interact Theatre Company • 2006 — Urinetown — Caldwell B. Cladwell • 2007-2008 — Wicked — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz — Hollywood Pantages Theatre • 2009 — The Torch-Bearers — Frederick Ritter — Williamstown Theatre Festival • 2010 — Our Town — Dr. Gibbs • 2014 — Pippin — King Charlemagne / Charles — Broadway • 2014-2016 — US Tour • 2017-2018 — Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — Grandpa Joe — Broadway • 2019 — Cabaret — Herr Schultz — Ogunquit Playhouse • 2022 — Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground — Eisenhower — Los Angeles • 2023-2024 — New York/Maryland
Video games
Video games
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2006 — Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops — Commander
Voice Work
Voice Work
Rubinstein has also performed in 150 Audio Books, mostly in the genres of Mystery Thriller & Suspense (94) or science fiction/fantasy (18) genres, either as a character but usually narrating the entire text. He also read the part of Captain Kirk in the talking book version of Harlan Ellison's original teleplay for The City on the Edge of Forever.
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the heading John Arthur Rubinstein. His recorded language was English. He was the child of Arthur Rubinstein and Nela Rubinstein. One child is recorded: Michael Weston. Other recorded relations include Emil Młynarski.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1946
John Rubinstein born at Los Angeles.
Film and television
Film and television
Rubinstein's feature films include 21 Grams, Red Dragon, Mercy, Another Stakeout, Someone to Watch Over Me, Daniel, The Boys from Brazil, Rome & Jewel, Jekyll, Kid Cop, Getting Straight, Zachariah, The Trouble with Girls, and The Car. He appears in the film Being the Ricardos as Jess Oppenheimer. On television he starred in Crazy Like a Fox from 1984-1986.
Film
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1969 — The Trouble with Girls — Princeton • 1970 — Getting Straight — Herbert • 1971 — Zachariah — Zachariah • 1971 — The Sandpit Generals — Professor • 1977 — The Car — John Morris • 1978 — The Boys from Brazil — David Bennett • 1979 — In Search of Historic Jesus — Jesus • 1983 — Daniel — Robert Lewin • 1987 — Someone to Watch Over Me — Neil Steinhart • 1993 — Another Stakeout — Thomas Hassrick, Las Vegas District Attorney • 1995 — Mercy — Frank Kramer • 1996 — Kid Cop — Stan Dwerkin — Direct-to-video • 2002 — Red Dragon — Dinner Guest • 2003 — 21 Grams — Gynecologist • 2006 — Rome & Jewel — Major Capps • 2007 — Sublime — Dr. Lichterhand — Direct-to-video • 2007 — Choose Connor — Cary Evor • 2012 — Atlas Shrugged — Dr. Floyd Ferris • 2015 — The Atticus Institute — Marcus Wheeler • 2021 — Being the Ricardos — Older Jess Oppenheimer
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1701620: John Rubinstein
Reputable secondary · Wikimedia Foundation
- “John Rubinstein”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority file
- VIAF cluster 42048218 for John Rubinstein, aggregating national library name authorities.
General reference · OCLC
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Erickson, Hal. John Rubinstein. The New York Times. October 11, 2015.
- 2.John Rubinstein Filmography. The New York Times. October 17, 2015.
- 3.Sachs, Harvey. Rubinstein: A Life. Grove Press. 14. 1995. 978-0-8021-1579-9.
- 4.Forsee, Aylesa. Artur Rubinstein: King of the Keyboard. T. Y. Crowell Co. 62. 1969. 978-0-6901-0467-7.
- 5.Yuenger, James. A Family Affair in Lodz to Remember Arthur Rubinstein. Chicago Tribune. January 19, 1987.
- 6.John Rubinstein: Fathers and Sons. YourClassical. February 20, 2015.
- 7.Notable Alumni Actors. UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
- 8.Lloyd Webber, Imogen. John Rubinstein, Emily Padgett & More Will Join Christian Borle in Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway. Broadway.com. December 19, 2016.
- 9.Haun, Harry. John Rubinstein Gets Presidential In One Man Show Eisenhower This Piece Of Ground. observer.com. Oct 9, 2023.
- 10.John Rubenstein. USC School of Dramatic Arts.
- 11.Greenspun, Roger. Screen: 'Zachariah,' an Odd Western. The New York Times. January 25, 1971.
- 12.Meyer, Dan. Tony Winners John Rubinstein and Linda Lavin Join Being the Ricardos. Playbill. March 30, 2021.
- 13.Miska, Brad. Anchor Bay's Art Enters 'The Atticus Institute' (Exclusive). Bloody Disgusting. December 15, 2014.
- 14.Behind The Voice Actors. John Rubinstein (visual voices guide).
- 15.Miller, Liz Shannon. Albert Einstein, Comedy Icon? 9 Examples of How Film and TV Depict His Lighter Side. IndieWire. April 25, 2017.
- 16.Maas, Jennifer. Nebula Anthology Series 'Sub/liminal' Sets Leads, Including Joseph Cross, Lena Hall and Caissie Levy (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. 2025-05-22.
- 17.Audible. Showing results by narrator "John Rubinstein". audible.com.
- 18.Skyboat Media. HARLAN ELLISON KICKSTARTER The City on The Edge of Forever. skyboatmedia.com.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority file
Secondary witnessreference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q1701620: John RubinsteinWikimedia Foundation
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
Further particulars
Held on the record
Further particulars
Open the remaining particulars
John Rubinstein received Theatre World Award, Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. Recorded as actor, composer, singer, theatre director and television director.
Recognition and collections
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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