Alan Mandell, Actor and Champion of Los Angeles Theater, Dies at 98
Alan Mandell, a notable actor, director, and supporter of the arts, passed away at the age of 98 on Tuesday in Westwood. He was born in Canada in 1927 and co-established the San Quentin Drama Workshop alongside Rick Cluchey, becoming a dedicated interpreter of Samuel Beckett's works. His professional journey began in 1954 at the San Francisco Actor's Workshop, and he later served as the general manager for the Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center. In 1976, he relocated to Los Angeles to work on "Dark Victory." Mandell concentrated on acting, taking on the role of consultant director at Los Angeles Actors' Theatre and Los Angeles Theatre Center. He participated in the 2006 revival of "The Cherry Orchard" and directed "Endgame." His wife, Elizabeth Heller Mandell, had passed away before him.
Key facts
- Alan Mandell died Tuesday at his home in Westwood at age 98.
- He was born in Canada in 1927 and discovered his calling as a schoolboy in Toronto.
- He co-founded the San Quentin Drama Workshop with Rick Cluchey.
- Samuel Beckett directed him in "Waiting for Godot" and "Endgame" in Europe.
- He was appointed business manager of the San Francisco Actor's Workshop, founded by Herbert Blau and Jules Irving.
- He joined Blau and Irving as general manager when they left to run the Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center.
- He held the title of consultant director at Los Angeles Actors' Theatre and Los Angeles Theatre Center, where he inaugurated the Poetry Literary Series.
- His wife, Elizabeth Heller Mandell, a gallery owner and arts patron, predeceased him.
Entities
Artists
- Alan Mandell
- Samuel Beckett
- Rick Cluchey
- Herbert Blau
- Jules Irving
- Anton Chekhov
- Arthur Miller
- Barry McGovern
- Michael Arabian
- John Cameron Mitchell
- Norman Lear
- Taylor Mac
- Joanna McClelland Glass
- F. Kathleen Foley
- Cameron Watson
- John Sloan
- Reza Abdoh
- Charlotte Rae
- James Greene
- Samuel D. Hunter
- Elizabeth Heller Mandell
- Phyllis Moberly
Institutions
- Mark Taper Forum
- San Quentin Drama Workshop
- San Francisco Actor's Workshop
- Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center
- Los Angeles Actors' Theatre
- Los Angeles Theatre Center
- Colony Theatre
- Kirk Douglas Theatre
- Odyssey Theatre
- Center Theatre Group
- Los Angeles Times
Locations
- Westwood
- Los Angeles
- California
- United States
- Canada
- Toronto
- San Francisco
- Burbank
- San Quentin