Judd Hirsch: The Art of Becoming Someone Else

Julian Schlossberg interviews Judd Hirsch about his iconic career. Before Taxi, Judd Hirsch nearly turned down the series—then found his character’s name was “Taylor” and insisted on changing it to Alex Rieger. Hirsch recalls the people-watching and comic improvisations that first drew him to acting, the nerve-racking moment he forgot a line onstage in Harvey, and how a small role in The Fabelmans brought him an Oscar nomination. He also shares stories about Andy Kaufman, Herb Gardner, and Robert Redford—and explains why he sometimes had to speak up when a role didn’t feel true.