Joshua Mostel (born December 21, 1946) is an American actor with numerous film and Broadway credits. The son of Zero Mostel, he is best known for his supporting roles in films such as Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Harry and Tonto (1974), Sophie's Choice (1982), City Slickers (1991), Billy Madison (1995), and Big Daddy (1999).
Early life Mostel was born in New York City, the son of Kathryn Celia, née Harkin, an actress, dancer, and writer, and Zero Mostel, a comic actor.
Career Mostel started his career as a boy soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He graduated from Brandeis University. His Broadway debut was in 1971 with Unlikely Heroes. In 1973, Mostel had one of his more notable film performances as Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1979, Mostel briefly starred in Delta House, the television version of the film Animal House; he played Blotto Blutarsky, the brother of the character Bluto (played by John Belushi in the original film).
On Broadway, he appeared in the 1989 revival of The Threepenny Opera as Money Matthew; as the frazzled head writer in the original 1992 production of My Favorite Year; and in George Furth and Stephen Sondheim's non-musical mystery play Getting Away With Murder, which had a brief run in 1994.
He also played the part of "the best trader on the street", Ollie, one of Gordon Gekko's traders in Wall Street.
Personal life Mostel lives in New York, with a summer home on Monhegan Island.
Tobias Mostel, his brother, is a painter, ceramic artist and professor of art, teaching at Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College.Art History Department, Florida State University. With special thanks to Tobias and Aileen Mostel.OLLI Spring 2013 Newsletter by OLLI FSU
Acting roles Film
+ Year Title Role 1971 Going Home Mr. Bonelli 1972 The King of Marvin Gardens Frank 1973 Jesus Christ Superstar Herod Antipas 1974 Harry and Tonto Norman Coombes 1976 The Money (Atlantic City Jackpot) Wheel-of-fortune operator Deadly Hero Victor 1981 Dead Ringer Russell 1982 Fighting Back Duster Sophie's Choice Morris Fink 1983 Star 80 Private Detective 1984 The Brother from Another Planet Casio Vendor Windy City Sol 1985 Almost You David Compromising Positions Dicky Dunck Stoogemania Howard F. Howard 1986 The Money Pit Jack Schnittman 1987 Radio Days Abe Matewan Mayor Cabell Testerman Wall Street Ollie 1989 Animal Behavior Mel Gorsky 1991 City Slickers Barry Shalowitz Naked Tango Bertoni the Jeweler Little Man Tate Physics Professor City of Hope Mad Anthony 1992 Nervous Ticks Saul Warshow 1993 Searching for Bobby Fischer Chess Club Regular 1994 The Chase Officer Figus Abe City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold Barry Shalowitz 1995 The Maddening Chicky Ross Billy Madison Principal Max Anderson The Basketball Diaries Counterman Let It Be Me Jordan 1998 Great Expectations Jerry Ragno Rounders Zagosh 1999 The Out-of-Towners Dr. Faber Big Daddy Arthur Brooks 2001 Knockaround Guys Mac McCreadle 2009 State of Play Pete 2016 The Congressman Bernie Gimpel 2024 Bad Shabbos Saul
Television
+ Year Title Role Notes 1987 The Equalizer Winston Erdlow Episode: "Beyond Control" 1990 Beverly Hills, 90210 Mr. Ridley Episode: "Class of Beverly Hills" 1998 Thicker Than Blood Kendall TV movie 2003 Law & Order Harvey Anchin Episode: "Kid Pro Quo" 2012 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mr. Roth Episode: "Hunting Ground" 2015 Blue Bloods Victor Flores 1 episode 2020 Hunters Rabbi Steckler 3 episodes
Broadway productions Title Dates of Production Unlikely Heroes October 26, 1971 – November 13, 1971 An American Millionaire April 20, 1974 – May 5, 1974 A Texas Trilogy: Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander September 21, 1976 – October 30, 1976 A Texas Trilogy: The Last Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia September 22, 1976 – October 31, 1976 Threepenny Opera November 5, 1989 – December 31, 1989 My Favorite Year December 10, 1992 – January 10, 1993 The Flowering Peach March 20, 1994 – April 24, 1994 Getting Away with Murder March 17, 1996 – March 31, 1996
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