November 19, 2013

‘Scandal,’ ‘West Wing’ Star Joshua Malina Navigates Judaism in Hollywood

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By TALIA JUBAS

Joshua Malina, star of acclaimed television series The West Wing and Scandal, spoke about his path to Hollywood, his Jewish faith and the various ways in which the two have intersected — not always successfully — to a crowded Statler Auditorium Tuesday.

Malina began his talk — titled “How to Make it in Hollywood and Remain a Mensch” — by noting that it is unclear both if he has made it in Hollywood and if he is a mensch, the Yiddish word for a person of integrity.

“[They are] both unproven, merely self-proclaimed — but if you grant me the points it will go more smoothly,” Malina said, prompting audience laughter.

Joshua Malina as David Rosen on “Scandal.”