Jonathan David Korkes
American film, stage, and television actor
Jonathan David Korkes, a versatile American actor whose career spanned over five decades across film, stage, and television, passed away on December 31, 2025, in New York at the age of 80. Born in New York and raised in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Korkes left an indelible mark on the acting world, known for his compelling performances and his dedication to the craft as an esteemed educator.
Korkes began his professional journey in 1968 with an off-Broadway role in Jules Feiffer's "Little Murders," directed by Alan Arkin, a collaboration he would reprise in the 1971 film adaptation. His early career quickly gained momentum, leading to his film debut in "The Out-of-Towners" in 1970 and a memorable portrayal of Snowden in Mike Nichols' iconic war satire "Catch-22" the same year.
Throughout the 1970s, Korkes built a robust resume, appearing in notable films such as "The Day of the Dolphin" (1973) and Billy Wilder's "The Front Page" (1974). His talent was recognized early on when Walter Kerr cited him as one of the most promising actors of the 1971 Broadway season for his work in Philip Roth's "Unlikely Heroes."
Later in his career, Korkes gained widespread recognition for his recurring role as corrections officer Tom Robinson in the critically acclaimed HBO drama "Oz," appearing in six episodes from 2001 to 2003. Beyond his acting, he was a passionate teacher, sharing his extensive experience with aspiring performers at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York from 2008 until November 2025, and also conducting master classes internationally.
Jon Korkes' legacy is not only found in his diverse filmography and stage performances but also in the countless students he inspired and mentored. His commitment to the art of acting, both as a practitioner and an educator, will be deeply missed by his colleagues, students, and audiences worldwide.
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I met Jon Korkes through Stella Adler's acting school; he was my acting instructor in my first-ever acting class last year. On day one, all of us students took out our notebooks as he introduced himself and we all began taking notes, and immediately Jon chuckled, telling us to put our notebooks away - there was no need for them. Surprised, I remember a few of us looking at each other confused but pleasantly surprised. As Jon began opening up about his acting career, I remember losing myself in his stories, enjoying each piece of history he had been a part of, from the biggest of spotlights to the smallest of roles. Jon was a storyteller, and through his art he helped countless students like myself not only enjoy acting, but actually feel like we could be stars ourselves one day. During one of our weekly sessions at Stella Adler, the students were tasked with acting out a particular piece from a script Jon had assigned us the week prior. As I finished acting out the selected piece with my acting partner, Jon began asking us questions about the story, questions we would only know if we read the entire script. What I did not realize until that exact moment was that everyone (including my scene partner) had read the entirety of script, everyone but me, and although I tried to pass through some foolish explanation of my character's backstory, Jon saw right through me and rightfully addressed my mistake in front of the entire class. Speaking with Jon after the class, I apologized to him. Surprisingly to me, Jon started by praising my performance, explaining the importance of reading the entire script and the power that knowledge gives an actor and their performance. He then told me "I hope you're not quitting this class, don't quit this class", and that always stuck with me. I could feel the passion for his art, and I always appreciated his mentorship in that moment. I'm honored to not only have shared moments like this with Jon, but to have had the chance to learn from someone so experienced, passionate, and so willing to share his passion with others. Whether or not acting is my path, those 8 weeks of class became an escape for me, and for 8 weeks Jon helped me go from feeling like an ordinary person to a star in the making, and I will forever be grateful to him for that.