Elitch Theatre knows Judd Hirsch as the star and director of Talley’s Folly in 1981, the 90th Anniversary of the theatre. He appeared opposite Veronica Cartwright and he also directed the production.
This was the opening play of the season and it was an opportunity for Denver audiences to see Hirsch in the role he played on Broadway in 1980 in the role Lanford Wilson wrote with Hirsch in mind.
Several months after his appearance at the theatre, Hirsch would win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Alex Reiger in Taxi.
Judd Hirsch won the 1986 Tony Award for Best Actor in I’m Not Rappaport, which ran on Broadway 28 years, when it closed after 891 performances.
Hirsch’s original Colorado connection dates back decades. In 1962 at “Back Room Theater” in Estes Park, Hirsch made his acting and directing debut. “He cheerfully admits it may have been the most misguided production ever to hit that town.
[Borrillo, Denver’s Historic Elitch Theatre, p. 317]
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1981
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
- 1981 – Talley’s Folly as Matt Friedman
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- 1981: Oscar Nominee — Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Ordinary People
- Five-time Emmy nominee for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and two wins.
- 1986: Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for I’m Not Rappaport
- 1992: Hirsch won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play in Conversations with My Father.
- 2023: Oscar Nominee — Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for The Fabelmans.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
Wikipedia Link:
