Nelson Avidon

Nelson Avidon played Don Jankowicz in the CBS-TV series EAST NEW YORK, with Jimmy Smits, and he was seen on LAW AND ORDER on NBC in October 2024.

Nelson was named Best Actor for the short film STOP TIME, which has also won Best Picture and Best Director at multiple film festivals. He is onscreen with Edward Norton in MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN as the reporter Jacob Gleason, as Police Chief Gurney in LIFE AFTER YOU,  directed by Sarah Schwab, as Christopher Lloyd’s son in the feature film RERUN, directed by Alyssa Bennett, in the Sci-Fi drama 2030, and the comedy ALL YOU CAN EAT.  He plays the title character Q in the award-winning short film about a modern-day Don Quixote, and he’s in the films KEEPING THE FAITH, with Edward Norton and Ben Stiller, and in OUR ITALIAN HUSBAND, with Brooke Shields.

Off-Broadway he played Franklin Roosevelt in BETHUNE, Freddy in CHURCH OF ST. LUKE in the Fringe Festival, Dr. Fletcher in STRINGTOWN, a project for Anna Deavere Smith, and Henry in MUD, directed by Elena Araoz, for Boundless Theatre NYC. “Nelson Avidon’s Henry is an insidious force.” – thereviewshub.com

Nelson was seen on Theatre Row playing Ronald Reagan in IN BED WITH ROY COHN. “Nelson Avidon is mesmerizing as Ronald Reagan.” – Theatre Scene

Nelson Avidon is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio, where he played “Erie Smith” in HUGHIE, by Eugene O’Neill, and where he appeared in SALOME with Al Pacino, and in ETUDES with Faye Dunaway.

Also on the New York stage, Nelson was in THE BLAMELESS at The Lark, directed by GT Upchurch, in HALF-MOON BAY, directed by John Gould Rubin, and in EXISTING PRIVILEGE, directed by Wilson Milam. He was in CEASEFIRE, directed by Joe Cacaci, at Berkshire Playwright’s Lab.

Nelson has received high praise from The New York Times for several performances: the lead role in the premiere of Michael Weller’s GHOST ON FIRE, the lead in his own play GIRL IN HEAT, and for his work in PROGRESS, at The Hudson Guild Theatre. Nelson created and performed all twelve roles in ROMANCE 1929, and Chekhov would have loved him as Trigorin in THE SEAGULL, and as Solyony in THE THREE SISTERS.

Nelson was Associate Artistic Director of the Hypothetical Theatre Company from 1998-2000, where he directed several premieres.

Nelson Avidon is in several hilarious web series: THE BLUE MARBLE, LOLA DOES MANHATTAN, ALTERNATE SIDE, and I DO!

“Nelson Avidon is a terrific actor.” – Edward Norton
“I feel very strongly about Nelson Avidon’s lovely performance and the film Q itself.” – Melissa Leo (for Q)

“Nelson Avidon is mesmerizingly hysterical as Ronald Reagan.”
– Theatre Scene (for IN BED WITH ROY COHN)

“When Nelson Avidon’s droll Ronald Reagan is center stage it is an oasis
amid the frenzied activities.” – Theater.com

“Nelson Avidon gives a first-rate performance; he is haunting.”
– NEW YORK TIMES (for GHOST ON FIRE)

“Nelson Avidon is a standout in an excellent cast.”
– NEW YORK TIMES (for PROGRESS)

“Avidon’s transformation is extraordinary.”
– BACKSTAGE (for GIRL IN HEAT)

“Avidon gives a brilliant performance.”
– SHOW BUSINESS (for GIRL IN HEAT)

“Nelson Avidon is a terrific actor.” – Edward Norton

“Avidon is a major talent.” – Walter Anderson

“Very funny. Mr. Avidon, who has a glint in his eye and a slightly
demented grin reminiscent of the French actor Fernandel,
shows the fear inside the tightly wound Joseph.”
– NEW YORK TIMES (for GIRL IN HEAT)

“I feel very strongly about Nelson Avidon’s lovely performance and the film Q itself.”
– Melissa Leo (for Q)