Mandel Bruce Patinkin (/pəˈtɪŋkɪn/; born November 30, 1952) is an American actor and singer, known for his work in musical theatre, television, and film. He is a critically acclaimed Broadway performer, having received three Tony Award nominations, winning for his leading role in Evita (1980), and seven Drama Desk Award nominations. For his work in television he has received seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations (winning one). He has also received a Screen Actors Guild Award, and three Golden Globe Award nominations.
Patinkin made his theatre debut in 1975 starring opposite Meryl Streep in the revival of the comic play Trelawny of the 'Wells' at The Public Theatre's Shakespeare Festival. He then originated the role of Che in the original Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, in 1979, as well as that of Georges Seurat/George in Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, in 1984.
Patinkin is also known for his leading roles in various shows on television, playing Dr. Jeffrey Geiger in Chicago Hope (1994–2000), SSA Jason Gideon in the crime-drama television series Criminal Minds (2005–2007), and Saul Berenson in the Showtime drama series Homeland (2011–2020). For his work in television he has earned seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning Outstanding Leading Actor in a Drama Series for Chicago Hope in 1995. Patinkin has had recurring roles in Dead Like Me (2003–2004) and The Good Fight (2021).
Over his career Patinkin has become known for his performances in film including his portrayal of Inigo Montoya in Rob Reiner's family adventure film The Princess Bride (1987). He also starred alongside Barbra Streisand in the musical epic Yentl (1983), where he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy nomination. His other film credits include Miloš Forman's Ragtime (1981), Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy (1990), Wonder (2017), and Life Itself (2018).
Early life
Patinkin was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 30, 1952, to Doris Lee "Doralee" (née Sinton) (1925-2014), a homemaker, and Lester Don Patinkin (1919-1972), who operated two large Chicago-area metal factories, the People's Iron & Metal Company and the Scrap Corporation of America. His mother wrote Grandma Doralee Patinkin's Jewish Family Cookbook. Patinkin's cousins include Mark Patinkin, an author and nationally syndicated columnist for The Providence Journal; Sheldon Patinkin of Columbia College Chicago's Theater Department, a founder of The Second City; Bonnie Miller Rubin, a Chicago Tribune reporter; Laura Patinkin, a New York–based actress; and Louis Rosen, a New York–based composer.
Patinkin grew up in an upper-middle-class family, descended from Jewish immigrants (from Russia and Poland), and was raised in Conservative Judaism, attending religious school daily "from the age of seven to 13 or 14" and singing in synagogue choirs, as well as attending the Camp Sura in Michigan. His father died of pancreatic cancer in 1972.
He attended South Shore High School, Harvard St. George School, and Kenwood High School (later renamed Kenwood Academy, where his teachers included Lena McLin), and graduated in 1970. He attended the University of Kansas and the Juilliard School (Drama Division Group 5: 1972–1976). At Juilliard, he was a classmate of Kelsey Grammer. When the producers of the sitcom Cheers were holding auditions for the role of Dr. Frasier Crane, Patinkin put Grammer's name forward.
