Lenny Wolpe (born March 25, 1951) is an American musical theatre actor who has appeared in Broadway musicals including Wicked and The Drowsy Chaperone.

Early life

Wolpe was born in Newburgh, New York. Wolpe majored in American history at George Washington University and was active in the university's theater department. Upon graduation, Wolpe attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota to teach theater.

Career

Wolpe made his Broadway debut in Onward Victoria, which closed on opening night.^[1] Other Broadway appearances include Copperfield (Mr. Dick), Into the Light (Peter Vonn), and The Sound of Music (replacement for Max Dettweiler). While in a national tour of Little Shop of Horrors, Wolpe was asked to audition for The Drowsy Chaperone by producer Roy Miller, with whom he had worked at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. Wolpe was cast as Feltzeig, a producer.^[1] Wolpe created the role of the Wizard in Wicked's original workshops in Los Angeles. Beginning July 10, 2007, he played the Wizard on Broadway.^[2] Wolpe played his final performance as the Wizard in the Broadway company on July 27, 2008, and was replaced by P.J. Benjamin.^[3] Wolpe recently reprised the role as The Wizard in the first U.S. National Tour of Wicked, where he replaced Lee Wilkof. His run started on September 6, 2008 and ended exactly a year later. Wolpe was succeeded by Richard Kline.^[4] In addition to Little Shop, Wolpe has appeared in National tours of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and South Pacific. Off-Broadway, Wolpe has appeared in Mayor (Mayor Koch), Brownstone, Company, and The Wonder Years. His regional theatre credits include The Baker's Wife (Baker), Gypsy (Herbie opposite Betty Buckley), The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Paper Mill Playhouse), A Class Act, Radio Gals (Pasadena Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye in six productions), Fiorello!, and She Loves Me (Reprise! L.A.).^[5]

On television, he was a series regular on Baby Talk and You're the One. Wolpe has guest starred on more than 80 television programs including L.A. Law (on which he played a victim of Tourette syndrome), ER, Six Feet Under, The Golden Girls, The King of Queens, Ally McBeal, and Chappelle's Show.^[5]

In May 2012, Wolpe premiered in the role of Morty in a new off-Broadway show based on the eponymous Old Jews Telling Jokes podcast.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography

Film

Television