Biography

Born and raised in New York City, Jonathan is the only son of two actors - 'Car 54, Where Are You?'s Helene Parker and Israeli-born Juki, a dance choreographer and mime - who both met on Broadway; he was actually conceived during the national tour of 'No Strings.' He graduated from Columbia University and USC's School of Cinematic Arts and the USC Annenberg School of Journalism, where he completed his studies for a master's degree in Specialized Journalism. Taking time off from acting to complete these studies, Jonathan wrote and reported as a freelance journalist and also contributed considerable time mentoring disadvantaged children in New York and Los Angeles through the America Reads and College Bound programs. Onstage, he has been seen in more than half of William Shakespeare's plays, most recently directing himself as Coriolanus. On film, he has shot several popular shorts as director, cinematographer, designer, and/or producer. His acting and directing work includes countless commercials, trade shows and industrials, live variety shows incorporating improv (which he studied at the Groundlings in LA) and dance. A television show aimed at teaching children about road safety was a big hit in Israel, with Jonathan playing the title role of 'Otus,' the baffled space alien who embarks on a mutual friendship with helpful Earth children. Stateside, he has appeared in several small roles on TV and in film, but counts the theatre as his true home.

He most recently taught for the University of San Diego's Professional Studies division, 'teaching teachers how to teach' the arts.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jonathan Arkin

Jonathan's high school homeroom - and creative writing - teacher was Frank McCourt, who encouraged him to continue writing his trademark haiku poetry. Occasionally, McCourt would bring in drafts of an autobiographical work he was working on at the time, asking Jonathan's class if they wouldn't mind hearing some passages read to them. Those drafts became the basis for the Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Angela's Ashes.'.

Jonathan was one of a group of 'Club Kids' in 1980s New York, working primarily as a deejay at the legendary nightclubs Danceteria, Limelight, Tunnel and the World. He worked door at the Palladium and at The Bank in Philadelphia, PA - where he also performed as a go-go dancer at the now-defunct Revival club.

The worst argument I ever had with my father was when I insulted his pantomime world's patron saints - which of course are clowns. I said that I hated clowns. He responded "No, you don't hate clowns, Jon. Clowns hate you."