Julian Beck (March 31, 1925–September 14, 1985) was an American actor, director, poet, and painter. He was born in New York City and briefly attended Yale University, but dropped out to pursue writing and art, intending to be an Abstract Expressionist painter.
At age 17, he met Judith Malina and quickly came to share her passion for theatre; they founded The Living Theatre in 1947, and Beck co-directed the group until his death. Beck and Malina were life partners in an open marriage, and Beck had a long-term relationship with a male actor in the company.
Besides his theatre work, Beck published several volumes of poetry reflecting his anarchist beliefs. He also had an occasional film career, with small roles in Emergency, The Cotton Club, 9½ Weeks , and Poltergeist II.
Beck was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1983, and died 18 months later at Mount Sinai Hospital .
