Ed Metzger
Ed Metzger, an accomplished actor and writer, has the unique ability to portray real-life famous people as well as the talent to write novels and plays about them. In major films, on television, the Broadway stage, and eBook publishing his list of characters include Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Teddy Roosevelt, George Washington as well as cops, mobsters and gangsters.
Metzger's suspense novel, "Assassinate Einstein" published on Kindle eBooks, is a thriller following the FBI in their desperate attempt to stop a Nazi assassin from accomplishing his secret order, issued by Hitler shortly before WW II to assassinate Albert Einstein.
As an actor, his most famous theatrical portrayal is Albert Einstein . . . with wild hair and all. He is extremely proud that he is the only actor who has ever received an endorsement from the Einstein family who recognized Metzger's talents to personify their relative, the most famous man of the 20th Century. A quote from Albert Einstein's first cousin said that the family "felt as though they were in the presence of their dear cousin Albert."
Metzger tours his nationally acclaimed one-man live stage show, "Albert Einstein: The Practical Bohemian," at major theaters throughout the country as well as on Broadway and The Kennedy Center. Metzger's depiction provides insight into Einstein's history through the Holocaust, the Manhattan Project, the Theory of Relativity,his religious beliefs, his personal life and his delightful idiosyncrasies.
In addition to bringing the renown professor "to life" on stage, Metzger has portrayed "Einstein" in feature films, "FDR: American Badass," "Watchmen," "A Conversation With Einstein" available to view on the internet, and "Joe's Rotten World." On television, he brought the mood of the Great Man to life in the Chris Rock series, "Everybody Hates Chris," as well as "The Super Mario Bros," "Newton's Apple," and "Movie Magic."
In director David Fincher's brilliant film, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Metzger personified President Theodore Roosevelt and created the essence of the great historical visionary. Fincher's exceptional film starred Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchette, receiving many Oscar nominations.
For his portrayal of the celebrated novelist, Ernest Hemingway, Metzger captures the robust, artistic, and explosive life story in theatrical performances on stage of "Hemingway: On the Edge" at major theaters throughout the country. Metzger selected Hemingway as the subject of his second one-man play because of the many exciting elements in the writer's life. Bullfighting, big-game hunting, brawling, drinking and womanizing were as much a part of Hemingway's life as they were of his many novels and short stories. According to Metzger, "Hemingway was a man who fed his writing by seeking visceral experiences, challenging life at its most basic level."
Metzger met the challenge of creating and writing two distinctly different live on-stage shows. Since Einstein and Hemingway were at opposite ends characteristically, Metzger realized their common denominator was the pure devotion each man had with their work. Both of them were Nobel Prize winners.
Delving into more historical visionaries, Metzger portrayed the first president of the United States, George Washington, in "The Super Mario Brothers Super Show."
Metzger's distinctive Broadway stage career also includes "The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui," starring Al Pacino, "Uncle Vanya," "Brecht on Brecht," Nighthawks," "The Bear," and many other productions.
As much as Metzger enjoys performing on stage, in front of the camera, or writing a novel, he enjoys presenting his dynamic talk when invited as a featured guest speaker for corporate events. For tv and radio talk shows, audiences have enjoyed Ed's interviews on "The Today Show," "Studs Terkel Show," "Voice of America," "All Things Considered," "Talk of the Nation" "Latenight America," "The Tonight Show," "Good Morning, America," and major talk-shows throughout the country.
Before becoming a well-known actor, Metzger grew up in Brooklyn and developed an interest in medicine, which became his major at The University of Alabama and The University of Florida. However, the acting bug bit him, and he moved to Los Angeles for drama training at the prominent Pasadena Playhouse. Eventually returning to New York, he studied at the prestigious Actors Studio with the honored Method master, Lee Strasberg.
Years later when Metzger became interested in famous people in history, he never expected his scientific education and interest in world visionaries would be used in novels and drama portrayals.
Passionate for anything Einstein, Metzger developed a nationally acclaimed science school out-reach presentation, "Close Encounters With Einstein." This interactive dynamic assembly program encourages curiosity in science, technology engineering and math (STEM), and targets under-served students throughout the country.
Metzger is particularly interested in bringing his motivating special program to students in socio-economic disadvantaged school districts to stimulate students interest to consider science as a future career choice.
He created a nationally acclaimed Theater Arts Drama Camp for high school and college students where Metzger teaches the acting techniques of Lee Strasberg's The Method. The Drama Camp concludes with students performing in "Actorfest," an evening of Metzger's originally written scenes about every day issues.
Knowing the powerful effect theater arts can have on students, "Actorfest" is also used as a valuable therapeutic tool for students to enhance discipline and self-esteem. Metzger's program has been highly regarded by specialized facilities who are searching for a way to add values to incarcerated youth.
Metzger's writings include: The one-man portrayal, "Albert Einstein: The Practical Bohemian;" the published eBook, "Assassinate Einstein;" his second one-man play, "Hemingway: On The Edge;" "No Naked Heroes," a full character play about the great French sculptor Auguste Rodin; the two-character play "Sanctimonious Rage;" and other books, "Einstein Goes Hollywood;" "Einstein: Vanilla is My Favorite."
Metzger's wife Laya, is an accomplished talent agent, manager, co-writer, producer, photographer and film maker. She always has her cameras with her as she is usually seen on the set documenting Ed and his work. Laya's behind the scenes endeavors are an integral component to their success.
Ed and Laya live in the Los Angeles area. They love traveling together with their many projects. Ed is a member of the acting unions: SAG-AFTRA and AEA.
