Person Biography:
Al was born in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to earn three degrees in Theatre Arts from prestigious institutions, including Loyola University of Chicago, University of Kansas, and University of Minnesota, where he earned his Ph.D.
At the tender age of 20, Al joined Actors' Equity, working alongside renowned actors such as Charlton Heston, Bert Lahr, and Barbra Britton at The Hinsdale Summer Theatre. Throughout his illustrious career, he has acted in over 200 professional productions and directed more than 100 others.
Al has shared the stage and screen with numerous major actors, including Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Zoe Caldwell, Linda Darnell, Jack Carson, Margaret O'Brien, Joan Van Ark, Marge Champion, Wendell Corey, Leo G. Carroll, Lillian Roth, Dean Martin, Donald Pleasance, Lynn Redgrave, Wayne Rogers, Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Blair Underwood, Delroy Lindo, Danny Glover, Sean Cassidy, Paul Winfield, John Ritter, Karen Morrow, John Kerr, Walter Abel, Nina Foch, Tony Plana, Diana Canova, Cindy Williams, Ed Asner, Hugh O'Brien, Tyne Daley, and Steve Allen, to name a few.
Throughout his career, Al has been directed by and/or studied with some of the most renowned figures in the industry, including Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Harold Clurman, Kristin Linklater, Douglas Campbell, Martin Esslin, Gordon Davidson, Bill Bushnell, Ron Sossi, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi, John Hough, Roger Rees, and Ray Danton.
Al is also a published author, having written two books about his mentor, Tyrone Guthrie. The books, "Minneapolis Rehearsals: Tyrone Guthrie Directs Hamlet" and "Astonish Us in the Morning: Tyrone Guthrie Remembered," chronicle the rehearsals of the premiere production of The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and feature interviews with many distinguished actors and industry professionals who worked with Sir Tyrone.
Today, Al serves as the Head of Acting at LACC's Theatre Academy in Hollywood, the oldest continuous professional training program west of the Mississippi.
