Austin Pendleton, a name you might recognize from countless movies and TV shows, often appears as the memorable “other guy.” Think of him as the friendly buddy or quirky side character in beloved films like “My Cousin Vinny,” “What’s Up Doc,” “Finding Nemo,” and “The Muppet Movie.” While he may not always be the leading man, his performances are consistently scene-stealing and leave a lasting impression. One role, in particular, has become synonymous with Pendleton’s unique charm: the stuttering lawyer in the comedy classic, “My Cousin Vinny.”
Austin Pendleton pictured alongside Ryan O’Neal and Barbra Streisand in a scene from the 1972 Warner Brothers comedy “What’s Up Doc”.
Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Pendleton boasts an impressive 50-year career spanning both stage and screen. Interestingly, this seasoned actor, known for his nuanced portrayals, credits his early acting experiences in his hometown of Warren, Ohio, for honing his skills.
“It was a prosperous, factory town,” Pendleton recalls, painting a vivid picture of his childhood environment. “At night, the sky was orange from the blast furnaces.” His father, Thorn Pendleton, owned the Warren Tool Company, a business that shipped essential tools like pickaxes and sledgehammers across the nation. His mother, Frances Pendleton, was a professional actress at the renowned Cleveland Play House. After World War II, she dedicated her talents to the Trumbull New Theater, serving as an advisor, actor, and director. This deep-rooted family connection to the theater profoundly influenced young Austin.
Pendleton fondly remembers his mother’s dedication to the stage, noting, “The last show she directed there was in 1988.” He also shared his own directorial experience with her, “‘The Glass Menagerie.'” The theatrical kinship was reciprocal, as his mother directed him, his wife, and even his father in a production of Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” highlighting the family’s shared passion for performance.
This strong familial affinity for theater led Pendleton to pursue drama at Yale University. However, in a surprising revelation, he admits that his acceptance into the prestigious Ivy League school’s undergraduate theater program wasn’t solely due to his acting prowess. “The reason I got accepted was me and some of my friends in Warren began our own little theater group when we were in junior high school and we would perform them in the basement of our house,” he explained. “We did the ‘Glass Menagerie,’ for example. They were intrigued by the whole enterprise of that.” His initiative and entrepreneurial spirit in creating his own theater group impressed the admissions committee.
Beyond academics, theater played a transformative role in Pendleton’s life, helping him overcome a childhood speech impediment. He developed a stutter as a child, a challenge that many find debilitating. However, Pendleton discovered that when he immersed himself in a character on stage, the stutter miraculously disappeared. “I still do a lot of acting, because I associate acting with something that kind of saved my life,” he reflects, emphasizing the profound impact of acting on his personal journey.
Interestingly, his stutter, something he overcame through acting, also played a crucial role in his early career. In 1962, Pendleton made his New York Off-Broadway debut in Arthur Kopit’s “Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad,” directed by the acclaimed Jerome Robbins. Serendipitously, Pendleton’s character in this play stuttered. “So, I went in and I got an audition, and I got the part,” he recounts. “I did a very good first audition, and Jerry Robbins was like, ‘Who are you?’” This role not only launched his career but also showcased his ability to authentically portray characters with speech impediments, a skill that would later contribute to the memorable portrayal of the stuttering lawyer in “My Cousin Vinny.”
The collaboration with Jerome Robbins continued when Pendleton made his Broadway debut in 1964 as Motel the tailor in the original cast of “Fiddler on the Roof,” a role that further cemented his place in theater history. Despite initial discouraging out-of-town test performances and a critic deeming the show “hopeless,” Robbins’ unwavering dedication and persistent work ethic turned the tide.
A photograph of Austin Pendleton in his 1964 breakout Broadway role, portraying Motel Kamzoil, the tailor, in the original cast of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Image courtesy of Austin Pendleton.
“And Jerry just kept his head and just kept working on it,” Pendleton recalls. “We were playing five weeks or so in Detroit, and then two or three weeks in Washington, and then opening after a few previews on Broadway. By the time we opened in Washington, the reviews suddenly were very good. And it just continued that way.” “Fiddler on the Roof” went on to become a Broadway sensation, launching Pendleton’s career into new heights.
While Pendleton achieved significant success and recognition in theater as an actor, director, and playwright, he also carved a niche for himself as a sought-after character actor in film and television. With nearly 150 movie and TV credits to his name, his face is instantly recognizable. Interestingly, Pendleton reveals a career aspiration that bucks the trend of many actors: “Who didn’t want to be in the movies? I was hoping that I wouldn’t ever get a successful TV series,” he admits, explaining his concern about being typecast, a fate he witnessed befall some of his stage colleagues who transitioned to television.
Despite his extensive and varied filmography, Pendleton acknowledges that he is “probably best known” for his role as the stuttering lawyer in the 1992 box office hit comedy, “My Cousin Vinny.” However, in a surprising twist, he confesses, “If I had my life to live over, I never would have done that movie,” even while admitting he enjoys the film. He elaborates on his initial hesitation, “I remember thinking it’s a terrific script, and I loved the idea of the role. I just wanted someone else to play it.” This ambivalence towards a role that brought him widespread recognition highlights Pendleton’s complex relationship with fame and his deep-seated passion for the craft of acting itself, rather than just the limelight.
Currently, Pendleton has returned to Northeast Ohio to grace the stage in “Glengarry Glen Ross” at the Beck Center. He expresses a clear preference for the vibrant theater scene in Ohio, contrasting it with the “degrading” aspects of an actor’s life in major entertainment hubs like New York and Los Angeles. He believes that actors can thrive in numerous cities outside of the traditional coastal entertainment centers.
Austin Pendleton pictured in rehearsal with Chris Bohan for a scene in “Glengarry Glen Ross” at the Beck Center.
“There’s a lot of wonderful things about the theater scene in New York and in Los Angeles, but it’s hard on people,” Pendleton observes. “It’s kind of wonderful to come to a place like this and act.” His return to Ohio and commitment to theater underscore his enduring passion for the stage and his appreciation for regional theater communities.
For fans eager to delve deeper into Pendleton’s life and career, the 2016 documentary “Starring Austin Pendleton” offers an intimate portrait. The Cleveland Cinematheque has screened some of Pendleton’s iconic films, and he has participated in Q&A sessions, further connecting with his audience and sharing insights into his remarkable journey. Whether you remember him as the stuttering lawyer in “My Cousin Vinny” or from his numerous other roles, Austin Pendleton remains a captivating and enduring figure in the world of entertainment, whose story is as compelling as the characters he portrays.
