Beyond being an actor, Jason Alexander is equally a voice artist, producer, director, comedian, and former magician. Yeah, he’s indeed a well-rounded entertainer. Jason shot to fame as George Costanza in the hit 90s sitcom Seinfeld. He also starred as the insensitive lawyer Philip Stuckey in the 1990 box office monster Pretty Woman. This bloke is equally well known for playing the titular character in the animated sitcom Duckman.
In addition to his immense on-screen success, Mr. Jason equally enjoys an illustrious stage career. In 1989, he featured in the Broadway musical Jerome Robbins’ Broadway for which he earned a Tony Award. He has equally served as Artistic Director in a number of Broadway musicals.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
The American was born as Jay Scott Greenspan on September 23, 1959, in Newark, New Jersey, to Ruth Minnie and Alexander B. Greenspan. He was raised in Livingston, New Jersey where he attended Livingston High School and graduated in 1977. For his college education, Jason Alexander enrolled at Boston University, however, he did not complete his degree.
Jason initially delved into showbiz as a magician but later settled for acting and comedy. He began his acting career as a New York stage actor. As a singer and a dancer, this entertainer equally featured in a number of Broadway musicals including Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (1989) which earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Just like his blossoming stage career, Jason equally had it good on the small and big screen. The talented actor was a part of the main cast of the critically-acclaimed sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998). Alexander’s impeccable portrayal of the George Costanza character earned him nominations for six Primetime Emmy Awards as well as four Golden Globe Awards. He was able to win the 1994 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.
Jason appeared alongside Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in the 1990’s romantic film Pretty Woman and equally lent his voice to the title role in the animated sitcom Duckman (1994–1997). The talented actor also lent his voice to the character Hugo in the 1996 Disney hit animation Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as it’s a direct-to-video sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002).
He marked his directorial debut in the 1996 film For Better or Worse followed by Just Looking in 1999. Jason has remained active and consistent over the years both on-screen and on Broadway. He has also headlined his own comedy shows including Jason Alexander’s Comedy Christmas (2006), Jason Alexander’s Comedy Spectacular (2008 and 2009), The Donny Clay Experience (2010) among others.
Jason Alexander Wife, Sons, and Family
Mr. Alexander was born to Jewish parents. His mother Ruth Minnie (née Simon) was a nurse and a health executive while his father Alexander B. Greenspan worked as an accounting executive. As a teenager, the talented actor coined his stage name ‘Jason Alexander’ from his father’s first name. He has 2 half-siblings; a sister, Karen Van Horne, and a brother, Michael Greenspan.
Jason Alexander is currently married to his wife of nearly 4 decades Daena E. Title. The couple tied the knot way back in the 80s on May 31, 1982. Daena Title is a visual artist with a little bit of an acting background. She had a small role in the 1995 comedy-drama For Better or Worse in which her husband served as lead actor and also as the director.
Jason Alexander has 2 children with his wife Dena Title. The couple welcomed their first son Gabriel “Gabe” Greenspan in August 1991. They also welcomed their second child in February 1996, a son named Noah Greenspan.
Alexander’s first son Gabe Greenspan has towed his famous father’s path as a comedian, actor, and writer. In 2017, father-and-son collaborated on the digital comedy series Dinner With Dad. Greenspan also serves as co-writer for the comedy series On Hiatus with Monty Geer.
Gabe Greenspan is trained in improvisational comedy as well as sketch comedy at prestigious training centers including The Groundlings, The Improv Theater, and The Clubhouse. He is a part of the independent improv group ‘Merlin’ and also one-half of the sketch comedy duo ‘The Idiot Chimney’.
Is Jason Gay?
All through his long-running showbiz career, Jason Alexander has been known to be involved in only one relationship – with his wife Daena Title. Owing to his pretty laid-out relationship history, it is safe to assume that the multitalented actor is not gay. In addition, he has never made any pronouncement that suggests he is sexually attracted to his gender.
However, the Seinfeld star came under fire back in June 2012 over an unsavory joke he made about people of the LGBT community. Alexander responded to the backlash by withdrawing the statement and issuing an apology.
Height and Other Body Measurements
Jason Alexander stands at 5 feet 5 inches (164 cm). As a matter of fact, his height influenced his career path as an entertainer. During his college days at Boston University, he had intended to pursue a career in classical acting, however, he changed his mind following a suggestion by a professor that his stature was more suited for comedy.
For the greater part of his career, Jason has been stereotyped as his rotund George Costanza character in Seinfeld. Unlike his height which he has no ability to affect, the actor has effected a profound change in his body weight. Back in 2010, he signed on as the spokesperson of the Jenny Craig weight management company. Within 6 months of engaging in the weight loss program, the once portly man was able to shave off 30 lb bringing his body weight down to 76 kg (168 lb).
