Jack Kandel, a multifaceted individual, was born on March 15, 1952, in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Holocaust survivors, had arrived in New York in 1951, fleeing their homeland of Lodz, Poland. Leon, his father, a skilled house painter, and Guta, his mother, instilled in Jack a strong connection to Judaic European traditions, shaping his upbringing and worldview.
After graduating from Niles East High School in Skokie, Illinois, Jack explored various professions, including sales, motivational speaking, dog training, cab driving, and bartending. This period of experimentation laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
As Jack delved deeper into the entertainment industry, he spent numerous years in the bar business, even owning a popular establishment, "Smilin' Jack's." Concurrently, he honed his acting skills at Second City, studying under the guidance of Josephine Forsberg and his mentor, Angelo Karas.
In 1989, Jack made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles, California, to pursue his acting career. Throughout his journey, he has appeared in an impressive 95 plays, including Shakespearean productions. Directing plays, teaching, and coaching are other facets of Jack's talents that he continues to nurture and develop.
