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Judith Malina

Judith Malina

Character actress Judith Malina is best known for co-founding the innovative Living Theater in 1946 with Julian Beck, who would become her husband. Malina is the daughter of an orthodox Jewish-German rabbi who moved to the U.S. in 1928 to escape political oppression. She became friends with Beck when she was 17. While Beck was interested in painting, Malina wanted to be an actress, and in 1945, she attended Erwin Piscator's Dramatic Workshop at the New School on a partial scholarship. Malina and Beck's Living Theater was closely related to the avant-garde theater movement of the early '40s. Their one-act productions were often improvisational or penned by such esteemed playwrights as Gertrude Stein, Bertold Brecht, or Paul Goodman. The subject matter of the plays became increasingly political during the '50s and Malina and Beck were no strangers to jail as a result of their involvement in nonviolent protests. In 1959, they won an Obie Award for their July 16, 1959, production of Jack Gelber's The Connection. The play's success landed them an invite to perform at the Theatre des Nations in Paris and their efforts there won them a grand prize. By the early '60s, the Living Theater was plagued with heavy debt and tax troubles. Malina and Beck were eventually tried for tax debt and jailed for contempt of court. Their Living Theater then moved to Europe where troupe members led a nomadic existence and changed the types of plays they put on. They returned to the U.S. to tour. In 1969, the main troupe split up and Malina and Beck went to Brazil in the early '70s. In addition to her theatrical work, Malina had a sporadic film career that began in 1975 with a small role in Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon. In Barry Sonnenfeld's Addams Family (1991), Malina played Granny. She had a starring role as an Italian immigrant in Household Saints (1993). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide


Filmography of Judith Malina:

Judith Malina Trivia

When was Judith Malina born?
Judith Malina date of birth: June 4, 1926

What role did Judith Malina portray in Let it Snow?
Judith Malina played Grammy in Let it Snow

Who did Judith Malina play in Enemies: A Love Story?
Judith Malina was Masha's Mother in Enemies: A Love Story

Who did Judith Malina play in The Addams Family?
Judith Malina was Granny in The Addams Family

What role did Judith Malina portray in Dog Day Afternoon?
Judith Malina played Mother in Dog Day Afternoon

What role did Judith Malina portray in The Deli?
Judith Malina played Mrs. Amico in The Deli

Who did Judith Malina play in The Secret of My Success?
Judith Malina was Mrs. Meachum in The Secret of My Success

What role did Judith Malina portray in Radio Days?
Judith Malina played Mrs. Waldbaum in Radio Days

Who did Judith Malina play in Awakenings?
Judith Malina was Rose in Awakenings


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Portions of Content Provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.