Jonathan Katz

Katz in September 2007

Jonathan Paul Katz (born December 1, 1946) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He is known for his role as Dr. Katz in Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. Katz won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance" in 1995.[1]

Early life and education

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Katz was born in New York City to a Jewish-Hungarian immigrant family.[2] He was educated at Goddard College.

Career

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Katz is a close friend of playwright David Mamet,[3] with whom he attended Goddard College.[4] Katz co-wrote "House of Games]" with Mamet and had small roles in the Mamet-directed films "Things Change," "Homicide," "The Spanish Prisoner," and "State and Main".[4]

Originally a musician and songwriter, Katz fronted a rhythm and blues group called "Katz and Jammers"[5] before serving as the musical director for Robin Williams' 1979 standup tour.[6] In 1998, he released Brandon Project, a blues album.[7]

Health

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In 1996, Katz was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.[8] The initial symptoms began that year: "I was working on a TV show called "Ink" with Ted Danson, and after every episode we would take a curtain call and I noticed that I needed a head-start."[9]

Hiding his condition became too much of a burden for Katz and he eventually disclosed it. He began speaking publicly as part of a tour sponsored by a manufacturer of medications used to treat MS.[10]

"People have been pretty supportive; nobody ever had me in mind for an action film because of the kind of work I do -- mostly in the world of animation, which is not a big issue because as a person, I can't run that fast; as a cartoon character, I can fly -- literally."[9]

Katz, who now gets around with the help of a motorized scooter and performs onstage with the aid of a cane, says he doesn't regret his decision: "One of the reasons I disclosed my condition is because it is much easier to live with MS than to pretend you don't have it. If I could convince everyone of that, my job here is done."[9]

Personal life

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Katz is married to Suzan Katz. They have two children.

References

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  1. ↑ "Jonathan Katz". Emmy.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Epstein, Lawrence J. The Haunted Smile: The Story of Jewish Comedians in America ISBN 978-0786724925 - Publisher: PublicAffairs - Date: Aug 2008
  3. ↑ "The World According to David Mamet". ABC News. 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Dr. Katz Receives His Degree". National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  5. ↑ "Official Website of Jonathan Katz - Bio". jonathankatz.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  6. ↑ "Jonathan Katz - President Street Productions" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
  7. ↑ "Brandon Project by Jonathan Katz". MTV Artists. Archived from the original on 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  8. ↑ "Comedian Jonathan Katz on His Life with MS". EverydayHealth.com. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "CNN.com - Comedian turns multiple sclerosis into a laughing matter - Oct. 10, 2003". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  10. ↑ "Anne Carlini - Exclusive Magazine". www.annecarlini.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-27. Retrieved 2015-10-23.

Other websites

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jonathan Katz.