Fyvush Finkel – is an American actor best known as a star of Yiddish theater and for his role as lawyer Douglas Wambaugh on the television series Picket Fences, for which he earned an Emmy Award in 1994. He is also known for his portrayal of Harvey Lipschultz, a crotchety U.S. history teacher, on the TV series Boston Public. Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, he adopted the stage name “Fyvush.”
Finkel first appeared on the stage at age 9, and acted for almost 35 years in the thriving Yiddish theaters making his way to Broadway in the original 1964 production of the musical Fiddler on the Roof, joining the cast as Mordcha, the innkeeper, then as Lazar Wolf, the butcher, the lead role of Tevye the milkman. He has appeared in numerous off Broadway shows, as well as on television (Picket Fences, Boston Public, Fantasy Island), and in the theater.
Finkel won the American Comedy Award for Picket Fences 1993, an Emmy Award for Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Series, Picket Fences 1993–1994 and an Obie Award for his performance in Cafe Crown 1988–1989.