Biography

The son of voiceover actor Allen Swift, Lewis J. Stadlen began his own career by studying with Sanford Meisner and Stella Adler. At 19, Stadlen was cast as Mendel in the touring company of Fiddler on the Roof. He made his 1969 Broadway debut as Julius Marx (Groucho Marx) in the musical comedy Minnie's Boys. Notably, Stadlen appeared in 1974 in the revival of Leonard Bernstein's Candide (Pangloss, etc.) for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. Devoting much of his time to the stage, Lewis J. Stadlen has, in recent years, performed in the national company of Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Senex, Tony Award nomination) and in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner (Banjo, Drama Desk Award nomination). In the 2001-02 season, Mr. Stadlen appeared in Neil Simon's play 45 Seconds From Broadway. He has continued to perform on television and on stage.
- IMDb mini biography by: ovrthemooon@aol.com

In August 2002, he was performing the role of Max Bialystock in the Broadway production of the Producers.

Has twice been nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1974 as Best Actor (Musical) for "Candide," and 22 years later, in 1996, as Best Actor (Featured Role - Musical) for a revival of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Called his time on "Benson" a "thoroughly loathsome experience", and constantly clashed with producers over his character and the creative direction of the show.

It takes a serious man to be a good comic.

[about Rene Auberjonois, who replaced his character on Benson] He was only hired to replace me after I had screamed my way off the show.

[about his role on Benson] I hated the character I played, and was petrified I'd be typecast as the same sniveling asshole who was only around to be the butt of the joke.