20 Facts about Mandy Patinkin Who Played Incredible Jason Gideon on 'Criminal Minds'

Actor Mandy Patinkin is well known for his intriguing portrayals of epic characters. The Tony Award winner has carved a space in Hollywood for himself.

From his role as Inigo Montoya in the 1987 film "The Princess Bride" to his iconic roles in television series "Criminal Minds," Mandy Patinkin's career has impressed fans over the years. He has become a fan favorite over the years.

Besides acting he is also known for his musical abilities. Here are twenty facts about the brilliant actor that fans might find interesting.

1. Father of 2

Patkin has two sons, Isaac and Gideon. Both of his sons followed in their father’s footsteps and pursued careers in entertainment.

2. Heritage

He hails from a Jewish Russian background and also has Latvian Jewish descent in his family.

3. Concerts for Pax and Doctors Without Border

When he isn't acting in hit shows, Patinkin does concerts for Pax and Doctors Without Borders who provide medical relief in violence-torn areas.

4. Acting for Kellogg's

Patinkin was the actor in the very first commercial for Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats. The advert was filmed in Chicago's Loop.

5. His Mother

Patinkin is not the only famous one in his family. His mother is the famous Food Network cooking show host, Doralee Patinkin Rubin.

6. His Younger son

Gideon, his youngest son acted with his father in "Dress Casual" in 2011.

7. First Television Commercial

His first television commercial was for 7-up in 1970. In the ad, he played a spirit from the 1950s.

8. His Favorite Role

According to Patinkin, despite his many memorable roles over the years, his favorite role was playing Inigo Montoya in "The Princess Bride" in 1987.

9. His CD

In 2000, Patinkin released a CD entitled "Kidults." The CD featured children's songs.

10. His Father

His father, Lester Patinkin, owned two large metal factories. He later passed away from cancer.

11. Same Character Different Show

Patinkin has played Dr. Jeffrey Geiger on three different series. First in 1992's "Picket Fences" then in "Homicide: Life on the Street" in 1993 and a year later in "Chicago Hope."

12. Star on Walk of Fame

He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6243 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 12, 2018.

13. Eye Issues

In the mid-1990s, Patinkin suffered from keratoconus, a degenerative eye condition. As a result, he needed two corneal transplants: first his right cornea in 1997 and then his left in 1998.

14. Cancer Survivor

Patinkin is a cancer survivor.

He once said, “Aside from my wife and children, cancer was the greatest gift I was ever given.”

15. Type of Cancer

At the age of 51, Patinkin was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The diagnosis came nearly 30 years after his father died at roughly the same age from pancreatic cancer.

16. Marriage

Patinkin married actress and writer Kathryn Grody on June 15, 1980.

17. Classmate

He

with the famous Kelsey Grammer.

18. Biggest Career Regret

Patinkin's biggest regret is "Criminal Minds." He once opened up about the show saying:

"The biggest public mistake I ever made was that I chose to do Criminal Minds in the first place. I thought it was something very different. I never thought they were going to kill and rape all these women every night, every day, week after week, year after year. It was very destructive to my soul and my personality. After that, I didn't think I would get to work in television again."

19.Yiddish Songs

He often sings in Yiddish. In fact, he has performed in Yiddish on stage and on his album Mamaloshen.

20. His Mother's Writing

His

"Grandma Doralee Patinkin's Jewish Family Cookbook."