Portly and grandfatherly, with what some might consider stereotypical Jewish mannerisms, Fyvush Finkel was a fifty-year veteran of Yiddish theater whose career received a shot in the arm in his early 70s as he became a regular on the acclaimed CBS dramatic series "Picket Fences."

Finkel first appeared on the stage at the age of nine, acting for almost thirty-five years in the thriving Yiddish theaters of the Lower East Side as well as performing as a standup comic in the Catskill's so-called Borscht Belt. He landed a small part in the national touring company of "Fiddler on the Roof" (1965), eventually making his Broadway debut in the role of Tevye the milkman in 1970 in the long-running Broadway company. Between Broadway and the touring company Finkel spent twelve years with the production.

Finkel made his film debut in the detective comedy "Off Beat" (1986) and more small roles in films followed.

It was his appearance as a shyster lawyer in Sidney Lumet's "Q & A" that led "Picket Fences" producer/writer David Kelley to cast Finkel in the regular role of public defender Douglas Wambaugh. Though the character was not conceived as Jewish, Finkel brought that quality to Wambaugh, a man who though at times may act a bit deviously, is fundamentally concerned with providing his clients with the best defense possible. For the role Finkel earned a 1994 Emmy Award, announcing at the televised ceremonies that he had waited 51 years for this moment.

On "Boston Public," Fyvush Finkel plays Harvey Lipschultz, a social studies teacher. He lives in the past most of the time and thinks that the students are there with him. He teaches the ideals and morals of ages past and is mocked by students. While being very knowledgeable he is not always "in tune" with what's going on around him.

Between his film and television work, Finkel has appeared in two musical reviews, "Finkel's Follies" and "From Second Avenue To Broadway." In each of these shows Finkel has had the privilege to work with his sons, Ian, a master mallet percussionist, Elliot, a noted pianist, and his grandson Abbot, a drumme.