Pittsburgh Public Theater Welcomes Zach Grenier as Willy Loman

The Public’s leader Ted Pappas calls the role of Willy Loman, “the King Lear of American drama.” To perform this iconic character in Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, Death of a Salesman, takes an actor of tremendous skill and emotional range. Willy must be by turns confident and confused, young and old, bold and broken. As Willy Loman, Pittsburgh Public Theater is thrilled to welcome Zach Grenier, an actor of exceptional pedigree and experience in television, film, and above all the theater.

For seven seasons on the CBS hit, “The Good Wife,” he played the outspoken divorce attorney David Lee. Mr. Grenier also appeared in the premiere of the program’s current spinoff, “The Good Fight,” starring Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart. Recently Mr. Grenier guest-starred as an activist priest on NBC’s “Chicago PD” and will also be guest-starring in an upcoming episode of “Blindspot.” He had recurring roles on “BrainDead,” “Deadwood,” and “24.” His numerous film credits include Twister, Donnie Brasco, J. Edgar, Ride With the Devil, Fight Club, and Zodiac.

But theater is Mr. Grenier’s first love and he is looking forward to tackling Willy Loman. “It is one of the roles I’ve always dreamt of playing,” he says. “The play’s relevance has only intensified as more and more people find themselves in Willy Loman’s position. Under Mary Robinson’s insightful direction, I once played James Tyrone in A Moon for the Misbegotten, and when Mary asked me to take on this role, I leapt at the opportunity.”

A member of New York’s Ensemble Studio Theatre, Mr. Grenier has played his share of powerful characters. These include Beethoven in 33 Variations (Tony Awards® nomination) with Jane Fonda on Broadway, Dick Cheney in Stuff Happens at the New York Shakespeare Festival, and Mephistopheles to Chris Noth’s Faustus in Dr. Faustus at the Classic Stage Company.

Now Pittsburgh audiences will have the chance to see this amazing actor at work on the O’Reilly Theater stage. “I have been a huge fan of Mr. Grenier’s for many years, on the stage and on the screen,” Ted Pappas says. “Having him star in Death of a Salesman for us is both a privilege and a pleasure. He was born to take on the role of Willy.”