Arthur Storch

Arthur Storch (June 29, 1925 – March 5, 2013) was an American actor, theatre director, and educator. A life member of The Actors Studio, he founded Syracuse Stage in 1974 and served as its artistic director for 18 years, establishing it as a major regional theater. Storch directed over 50 productions there while simultaneously serving as Chair of the Syracuse University Drama Department and teaching where he developed the influential "Syracuse Model" of actor training. His Broadway career spanned four decades as both an actor (A Hatful of Rain, The Night of the Iguana) and director (Tribute, Norman, Is That You?). He also appeared in films including The Exorcist and mentored actors like Frank Langella.

Early life Arthur Storch was born on June 29, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School. He enlisted in the United States Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served in World War II. He was involved in the Invasion of Normandy and advanced deep into Germany by the war's end.

After his service, he studied drama at The New School under Erwin Piscator in the 1940s. In 1952, Storch joined The Actors Studio, where he trained alongside Marlon Brando and Julie Harris in method acting.

Career Early acting career After studying at The Actors Studio, Storch began his career as an actor in the 1950s. He appeared in several Broadway productions including Michael V. Gazzo's A Hatful of Rain (1955) and the original production of Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana (1961).

His Broadway acting credits also included The Egghead (1957) and The Disenchanted (1958), establishing him as a character actor in dramatic roles.

Directing and Syracuse Stage Storch founded Syracuse Stage in 1974 as a professional theater integrated with Syracuse University's drama program - an innovative model later adopted by Yale and Juilliard. As artistic director until 1992, he: Directed 50+ productions including the world premiere of Tribute (1978), which transferred to Broadway Developed new works like Frank Langella's Cyrano (1986) Taught acting using his signature text-analysis approach

Under his leadership, Syracuse Stage became a regional powerhouse, premiering works as Patrick Meyer's, K2 (1984), and Frank Langella's Cyrano (1986).

Film and later work Storch appeared as the psychiatrist in William Friedkin's horror classic The Exorcist (1973). He continued acting sporadically in film and television through the 2000s, while also teaching at The New School in New York.

Teaching Storch served as a professor at Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts from 1974 to 1992, where he developed his signature approach combining Stanislavskian principles with rigorous text analysis. He pioneered the "Syracuse Model," integrating professional regional theatre (through Syracuse Stage) with academic training - an approach later emulated by programs like Yale and Juilliard.

His notable contemporary Frank Langella and student Taye Diggs frequently cited his transformative mentorship:

Storch's pedagogical approach directly influenced his professional work. His 1978 production of Tribute, developed through Syracuse Stage's academic-theatre pipeline, transferred to Broadway with its "razor-sharp comic timing" intact. This synergy between classroom and stage became a hallmark of his tenure.

Personal life Storch was married five times; Brook Hanna, Vergel Cook (actor), Virginia Kiser (actor), Cynthia Martin, & Peggy McEvoy and had three children, Max, Alexander & Bess. His son Max followed him into theatre as a production manager.

Death and legacy Storch died from natural causes on March 5, 2013, in Manhattan. In 2014, Syracuse Stage: Established the **Arthur Storch Award for Outstanding New Play** Named its mainstage in his honor Premiered a WCNY-TV documentary about his career

Tributes Following his death, Frank Langella recalled Storch as "a fierce advocate for actors and new plays," while Syracuse Stage artistic director Robert Hupp stated, "Arthur built this theater with sheer will and artistic integrity." The Drama League honored him posthumously for his contributions to regional theatre.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1957 The Strange One Cadet Simmons Film debut; controversial military academy drama 1958 The Mugger Jack "Skippy" Randolph Film noir starring Kent Smith 1960 Girl of the Night Jason Franklin Jr. Groundbreaking drama about prostitution rehabilitation 1963 Lonnie Dr. Rosen Psychological short film 1973 The Exorcist Psychiatrist Uncredited role in hospital scene 2002 Bridget Hawk Final film role; independent drama

Television Year Title Role Notes 1958 Naked City Dr. Feld Episode: "The Bumper" (Season 1) 1961 The Defenders Dr. Lewin Episode: "The Prowler" 1963 East Side/West Side Harold Weiss Episode: "No Hiding Place" 1964 The Doctors and the Nurses Dr. Kaplan Episode: "The Prisoner" 1964 The Nurses Dr. Belman Episode: "The Gift" 1975 Great Performances Director Staged The Comedy of Errors adaptation

Stage As actor A Hatful of Rain (1955) - Broadway (Replacement) The Egghead (1957) - Broadway (Howard Wagner) The Disenchanted (1958) - Broadway (Understudy) The Night of the Iguana (1961) - Broadway (Original cast)

As director Year Production Venue Notes 1963 The Typist and the Tiger Off- Broadway 1965 The Impossible Years Brooks Atkinson Theatre Broadway debut as director 1966 The Office Cherry Lane Theatre Off-Broadway debut 1970 Norman, Is That You? Lyceum Theatre Longest-running Broadway show (774 performances) 1972 The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild Eugene O'Neill Theatre Starring Maureen Stapleton 1964 The Owl and the Pussycat Anta Theatre 1976 The Comedy of Errors Syracuse Stage Musical adaptation 1978 Tribute Brooks Atkinson Theatre Transferred from Syracuse Stage 1986 Cyrano Syracuse Stage World premiere with Frank Langella