Rod Steiger: A One-Person Play in Two Acts

Noted for his portrayal of offbeat, often dangerous and bizarre characters, "Method" actor
Rod Steiger was one of Hollywood's most charismatic stars. Clashes with directors and co-stars were not uncommon.

The son of vaudevillians, Steiger received his first Oscar nomination for his role as Marlon Brando's brother in ON THE WATERFRONT (1954), a second one for playing the title character in THE PAWNBROKER (1964), and he, finally, took home the statuette for his performance opposite Sidney Poitier in IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967).

During his long career, he also played many historical characters, everyone from Al Capone to Napoleon Bonabarte.

Steiger was a victim of clinical depression, which not only negatively affected his several marriages, including one to actress Claire Bloom, but also his later acting career.

Michael B. Druxman's one-person stage play, ROD STEIGER, joins the actor at two critical moments in his life: first, just after he has lost the Oscar for THE PAWNBROKER, which he'd expected to win; and later in his career when his choice of acting roles are much more scant.