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Performing Arts Centre
Memories of a Canadian icon: Al Waxman Collection at TRL
Seven cent residual cheque (gift of Sara Waxman, 2001).
The personal collection of Al Waxman, best known for his television roles in King of Kensington and Cagney & Lacey, is now available to the public in the Performing Arts Centre at the Toronto Reference Library.
The collection includes original memorabilia from Waxman's career including scripts, scrapbooks, correspondence, clippings and photographs.
Waxman approached the library in 1994, offering his personal collection for archiving. "He said he chose the public library because he wanted the collection to be available to everyone since his most popular roles were portrayals of ordinary people," says his widow Sara Waxman.
Following his death last year, Sara Waxman donated additional material including videotapes of his work, photographs and awards that Waxman received for both his artistic achievements and his community work.
Born in Toronto, Waxman worked in media including television, film and theatre, and was well known for his community work. Before his death, Waxman was preparing for the role of Shylock in the Stratford production of The Merchant of Venice.
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Waxman was referred to as "The King" for most of his career. Born and raised in the Kensington market neighbourhood, he came by his Kensington affiliation honestly. Along with King of Kensington, Waxman was well known for his five-season stint as Lieutenant Bert Samuels on the CBS series Cagney & Lacey. His last roles included the prison warden in Norman Jewison's film The Hurricane and a recurring role on the television series Twice in a Lifetime.
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Al Waxman with Sharon Gless on the Cagney and Lacey set, Lt. Samuels's office, undated photo (gift of Sara Waxman, 2001).
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