Quick Facts
Biography
Paul R. Lipson (born December 23, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York, died January 3, 1996 in New York City) was an American stage actor. At the time of his death, he had played the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in more performances than any other actor, clocking over 2,000 performances as Zero Mostel's Broadway understudy, and later performing the lead role in his own right.
Paul also was on Broadway in "Detective Story," "Remains to Be Seen," "Carnival in Flanders," "I've Got Sixpence," "The Vamp", Fiorello!, and "Bells Are Ringing".
The son of Abraham Lipson and Elizabeth Richtol, Lipson grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and attended The Ohio State University. His stage career spanned five decades, from his debut in 1942 in the play Lily of the Valley (credited as "Paul R. Lipson"), through the 1980s. He also made guest appearances on several television shows in the 1950s and 1960s.
Paul Lipson was a carrier of Haplogroup E1b1b, through its M34 subgroup.