Biografie

While in the cast of Aaron Sorkin's Broadway play "A Few Good Men," he and Sorkin were members of a bowling league composed of cast and crew from Broadway shows. One night Sorkin bought the team a tray of hamburgers and, while trying to entertain the group, started to choke on a bite of one. Although he did not know how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver, Malina attempted to perform it on Sorkin, dislodging the burger and breaking three of Sorkin's ribs in the process.

Latest in a string of actors who appeared in Hallo, Mr. President (1995) to join the cast of The West Wing: Im Zentrum der Macht (1999), following Martin Sheen, Nina Siemaszko, Anna Deavere Smith and "President" writer Aaron Sorkin, who had a cameo appearance and later created and is executive producer of "The West Wing". He also later landed a part on Scandal (2012) which centers around the US president.

Father, with Melissa Merwin, of daughter Isabel Malina and son Avi Malina.

Avid poker player. Played to pay for rent when he struggled as an actor.

Came in sixth (out of 1,191 players) in the first event of the 2008 LA Poker Classic at Commerce Casino, for a win of over 11 thousand dollars.

I actually have, in all seriousness, in the back of my mind someday to write a book, the title of which would be 'Quit Now and Other Practical Advice for the Aspiring Actor.'

I always wanted to be an actor.

I've been on plenty of things that never took off, and I've been on one thing, 'The West Wing,' that was a big hit, but took off well before I was on it.

I grew up and I was weaned on the Marx Brothers. They were sort of my all-time favorite. My parents showed me their movies when I was very young. And as I got older, I became a Charlie Chaplin fan, and I love Buster Keaton.

For better or worse, I have a lot of vaudeville circus skills that you just can't showcase in Aaron Sorkin's work.