Judson Theatre Company is happy to announce that beloved television favorite DON MOST will play the role of Al Lewis in The Sunshine Boys!
As a child growing up in Brooklyn, NY, Don Most wanted to be just like the entertainers in his favorite film, The Jolson Story. While in junior high school, Don committed to the professional study of acting, singing, and dancing. At fifteen, Don got his first big break as part of a teenage musical revue that played the famous “Borscht-Belt” circuit of New York’s Catskill Mountains.
At age twenty, Don Most catapulted into the American zeitgeist when he won the role of Ralph Malph on the television pilot Happy Days. The role was originally a stock jock character. Director Jerry Paris and Executive Producer Garry Marshall were so charmed by Don’s charisma and natural comedic timing they reworked the part and transformed Ralph Malph into the beloved class comedian that won the hearts of America.
In the two decades following the success of Happy Days, Don continued to entertain and inspire audiences and earned critical acclaim in a long list of television and film roles. His film credits include EDtv, Crazy Mama, The Yankles, and The Great Buck Howard, starring John Malkovich. Don’s television roles include a recurring role in Glee, Men Of A Certain Age, Star Trek: Voyager, Sliders, Yes, Dear, The Crow, Sabrina, CHiPs, Baywatch, The Love Boat, Diagnosis: Murder, Century City, Dark Skies, and The Family Guy.
After years of working in front of the camera, Don realized his life-long ambition to direct with his first feature, The Last Best Sunday, in 1999. The film premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival and won Best Feature at the Telluride Indie Fest. Don’s second film, Moola, starring William Mapother and Shailene Woodley, earned the Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award at The Newport Beach Film Festival in 2007. In 2011 Don directed his first family film, Harley’s Hill, which premiered on Showtime, Starz and Encore.
Throughout his storied career Don Most’s dream of returning to his early musical days never wavered. Inspired by his love of swing, jazz and big band music, he created the musical revue Donny Most Sings and Swings. The show debuted in Los Angeles at Catalina’s Jazz Club in Hollywood, and Vitello’s Jazz Club in Studio City to great acclaim. Don’s act showcases his love of the great standards, and covers the likes of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and his favorite, Bobby Darin.
Don Most married actress Morgan Hart in 1982 after meeting on the set of Happy Days. They have two daughters, Madison and Mackenzie, and live in Los Angeles, California.
