Alan Friedman (born October 18, 1961) is an American actor who has starred in a number of films and television shows. He is best known for his roles in such films as The Night of the Hunter (1985), The Color of Money (1986), The Fisher King (1991), and The Usual Suspects (1995).
Friedman was born and raised in New York City, and studied acting at the prestigious High School of Performing Arts. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles and began his career with small television roles. He then went on to star in the 1985 drama The Night of the Hunter, alongside Robert Mitchum and Lillian Gish.
Friedman then landed a role in the 1986 drama The Color of Money, opposite Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. His performance earned him critical acclaim and he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. He followed this up with a starring role in the 1991 drama The Fisher King, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for the Academy Awards.
Friedman's other film credits include roles in such films as The Usual Suspects, A Civil Action, and The Big Lebowski. He also had a recurring role on the television show The West Wing and had guest roles on shows such as NYPD Blue, Law & Order, and Frasier.
In addition to his acting career, Friedman is also a producer. He produced the 2007 independent film A Life in the Theater, starring John Malkovich. He has also produced a number of television shows, including the drama series Life and the comedy series Mad About You.
Friedman lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. He continues to act and produce, and is a dedicated philanthropist, working to raise awareness and funds for a number of charitable organizations.
