frontlines
Name Change Doesn't Change
Judaism For This Actor
Michael Higer
JN Intern
A
t age 20, H.M. Wynant, born
Haim Weiner, left every-
thing behind in Detroit to
pursue a dance career in New York
City. After working a job and losing
all of his money, he auditioned for the
Broadway musical High Button Shoes.
Director Jerry Robbins saw something
in Wynant and told him to come back
the next day.
"I told Jerry, 'I can't come back; I just
got a job: so he told me to quit:' Wynant
said. "So I quit my job and I haven't had
a straight job since:'
After finishing his work on Broadway,
Wynant moved to Hollywood to pursue a
career in acting and to play his first star-
ring role in the Sam Fuller movie, Run of
the Arrow. While working on the movie,
he was told his name at the time, Haim
Winant, was too ethnic sounding. He was
asked to change it to H.M. Wynant, the
name he still goes by today.
Wynant, now 87, appeared at the Motor
City Comic Con in Novi the weekend of
May 16-18. He is best known for his roles
in the films Tonka and Conquest of the
Planet of the Apes, and the television series
Gunsmoke and Twilight Zone.
"I was very fortunate because I
got into acting just in time to work
with the great legends, people who
were not even real to me like Clark
Gable, Burt Lancaster and Errol
Flynn," Wynant said.
"I got here just in time because
after doing these movies these
people died within a year, which
proves you should never do a
movie with me:' he joked.
Wynant explained that com-
ing back to his hometown holds a
special significance for him. "I was
born here, so it means a lot to me
to be back here," he said. "I know
Detroit is in trouble with bank-
ruptcy and all that, but my feeling
is it will sink to the bottom and
then rise again like the phoenix.
It will become a jewel city once
again:'
Even while playing more than
H.M. Wynant stands with his sign at the
250 different roles in film, televi-
Motor City Comic Con.
sion and theater, Wynant still
found Judaism to play an impor-
tant role in his life. At age 50, Wynant
radio, but would love to revive his act-
went to Israel to be have his bar mitzvah ing career.
at King Solomon's tomb.
"I've decided I want to get back to
Wynant lives with his wife, Paula,
making films again:' he said. "I just
and their 13-year-old daughter, Pasha,
recently engaged a manager and I'm
in Valley Glen, Calif. He is working in
going to re-open my career:'
❑
JN CONTENTS
theJEWISHNEWS.com
May 29-June 4, 2014 I 29 Iyar-6 Sivan 5774 I Vol. CXLV, No. 17
Arts/Entertainment ..
Calendar
Food
Health & Wellness ...
Israel
1, 12, 38,
JN Archives
Life Cycles
Maccabi Corner
Marketplace
Metro
Next Generation
Obituaries
49
22
54
45
45
6
58
16
63
8
40
69
Out & About
51
Points Of View
38
27
Red Thread
Sports
48
Spotlight
68
Staff Box/Phone List... 6
Synagogue List
44
Torah Portion
42
Danny Raskin
Shabbat: Friday, May 29, 8:43 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, May 31, 9:55 p.m.
Shavuot 1: Tuesday, June 3, 8:47 p.m.
Shavuot 2: Wednesday, June 4, 9:58 p.m.
Shavuot Ends: Thursday, June 5, 9:59 p.m.
56
Our JN Mission
The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to
reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu-
ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity
and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi-
tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our
rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.
Your Legal
Issues
What is a
GoTo Lawyer?
That's the lawyer you go to
when you have a problem. If
you call me - the first thing
I will do is listen carefully to
your problem and then sort out the
available options. When you have a
medical issue, you often start with your
internist and then you are referred to
specialists to address specific issues.
Legal matters are similar. Our clients
and friends call us for virtually every
problem that arises. If it's an issue we
deal with - they know we will take
care of the problem in a cost efficient
and prompt manner. If, however, it's
something we don't do - they know
that we are well connected in the
community and we will put them in
touch with the best lawyer we know
who will take care of them the way
we do. I'm a GoTo lawyer and THAV
GROSS is a GoTo law firm. So when
you need to know who to go to .. .
call us g- day or night, 24/7.
A.
Shabbat & Holiday Lights
Shabbat: Friday, June 6, 8:49 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, June 7, 10:01 p.m.
Columnist
Ask Attorney
Ken Gross
about...
Cover page design: Michelle Sheridan.
The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275 - 520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes
to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034.
THAV GROSS
has been solving
its clients' business, tax and financial
problems since 1982. Be sure to tune
in to the Financial Crisis Talk Center,
on Radio and now on TV - Saturday's
at 9:00 AM — on WDFN 1130 AM,
"The Fan," and Sunday's at 11:00 AM
on MyTV20.
We are unique - catch the radio show
& visit our websites to see why!
O THAV GROSS
(HELP) or
248.645.1700
888.235.4357
For information, visit us online at
thavgross .com • fctalkcenter.com
30150 Telegraph, Suite 444
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
We're a premier debt relief agency helping people file for Bankruptcy Protection.
May 29 • 2014
3