Charles Grodin: Rebel With a Cause

Raised in a Jewish household in Pittsburgh, Charles Grodin’s life embodied the concept of Tikkum Olam. The film not only celebrates Charles Grodin’s hilarious acting career, but also his remarkable, decades-long, successful fight to get wrongly convicted people out of prison – most of whom were mothers of colour with young children. 

The film includes interviews with Robert De Niro, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Elaine May, Carol Burnett, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Alan Arkin, Ellen Burstyn, Marc Maron, Lewis Black, Marlo Thomas, Jon Lovitz, plus several of the women Charles Grodin fought the penal system on their behalf and eventually obtained their release from prison.

SPONSORED BY:
Sandy and Michael Hayden
Linda Thayer and Elliott Myers
Barbara and Herb Silber
Barbara Small and Leonard Schein
Cyndi and Max Mintzberg
Lynne and Mitchell Gropper

Festivals and Awards

• Winner: Audience Award for Best Documentary, Los Angeles Jewish film Festival, 2025