Fyvush Finkel, ‘Boston Public’ and ‘Picket Fences’ Actor, Dies at 93

Emmy winner was a staple on New York’s Yiddish theater scene

Fyvush Finkel

TV actor and Yiddish theater favorite Fyvush Finkel has died. He was 93.

The “Boston Public” and “Picket Fences” star’s passing was confirmed to the New York Times by his son, Ian, who told the paper that his father had been having heart problems for many months.

Finkel won the Best Supporting Actor Emmy in 1994 for his “Fences” role of defense lawyer Douglas Wambaugh.

The lifelong thespian resided in Manhattan, where he died. In 1997, the 75-year-old had a star added to the Yiddish Theater Walk of Fame, which is located on the sidewalk outside the former site of the 2nd Ave Deli. Finkel began his Yiddish stage career at 9.

Finkel’s wife, the former Gertrude Lieberman, died in 2008. He’s survived by two sons, a brother, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Other credits include the Coen Brothers’ “A Serious Man,” a guest spot on “Blue Bloods” and a starring role on “Fantasy Island.”

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