Acclaimed Actor Peter Jacobson to Star in “Death of a Salesman”
Hartford Stage has announced that acclaimed stage, television, and film actor Peter Jacobson will portray Willy Loman in its upcoming production of Arthur Miller’s classic drama “Death of a Salesman.” This highly anticipated show will run from February 27 to March 29, 2026. The casting was revealed on Monday, heightening excitement for the performance set to take place in Hartford, Connecticut.
Jacobson, renowned for his role as Dr. Christopher Taub in nearly 100 episodes of the medical drama “House,” brings a wealth of experience to this iconic character. He joined the series in 2007 and remained a fan favorite until its conclusion in 2012. The full cast for the production has yet to be announced. The show will be directed by Melia Bensussen, the artistic director of Hartford Stage, who previously directed Miller’s “All My Sons” at the theatre in 2024.
Born in Chicago, Jacobson honed his acting skills at Brown University in Rhode Island and at The Juilliard School in New York City. His recent film credits include “Violet,” “Dark Highway,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and “Smile 2.” In addition to his notable television work, Jacobson has appeared in the science fiction series “Colony” and had a recurring role as Agent Wolfe in “The Americans.”
A Timeless Tragedy
“Death of a Salesman” is a poignant exploration of the American Dream, focusing on the struggles of a small-time salesman who grapples with the harsh realities of life. Key roles in the play include Willy’s wife, Linda; his sons, Biff and Happy; and his deceased brother Ben, who appears in dream sequences. The narrative also features Howard, Willy’s employer, as well as neighbors Charley and Bernard, and a romantic figure from Willy’s past referred to simply as “The Woman.”
The original production of “Death of a Salesman” won five Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Author of a Play, and it also received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Over the years, several prominent actors have portrayed Willy Loman, including Lee J. Cobb, Dustin Hoffman, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Miller, regarded as one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, wrote “Death of a Salesman” in a writing studio he built near his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. The studio has recently undergone a restoration project led by Miller’s friends and supporters. Miller passed away in 2005, leaving behind a legacy of impactful works, many of which were staged at Connecticut theaters, notably the Long Wharf Theatre and Yale Repertory Theatre.
Exploring Jewish Themes
Under Bensussen’s leadership since 2019, Hartford Stage has hosted productions by major American playwrights, including Eugene O’Neill and August Wilson. She expressed her intent for the new production of “Death of a Salesman” to delve into the Jewish themes present in Miller’s work.
“Willy Loman lives in the space between memory and reality, hope and regret,” Bensussen stated while announcing Jacobson’s casting. “Peter brings tremendous compassion and clarity to that terrain, and I can’t imagine a more compelling actor to take on this role.”
As the curtain rises on this new adaptation, audiences eagerly await how Jacobson will embody this complex character in a production that promises to resonate with both contemporary and traditional interpretations of Miller’s work.
