
“The dialogue NEVER does the acting. You do.”
Jeffrey Zeiner
1943 - 2025
On April 2, 2025, Jeffrey Zeiner passed away peacefully in his sleep after fighting some health issues over the last year. We are all shocked and saddened at this loss, for he was a beloved family member, friend, colleague, and of course, one of the best acting teachers and coaches around. He taught for over 40 years, right up until he absolutely could not any more, at the age of 80. And that was after his decades as a performer, agent, manager and casting director. Everything he knew and learned in all those aspects of the business, he shared with his students to make them the best they could be and give the folks behind the table exactly what they were looking for so they could get the job. It was his total joy to teach. His presence in our lives and in the world of acting will be profoundly missed.
A memorial celebration of his life will be planned for later this year.
Should you wish to receive an invitation to the event, click on the button below (or on the menu above) where you can enter all your information and an invitation will be sent to you when the formalities have been finalized. There’s also space there for you to enter any memories, stories, anecdotes or just your feelings at this heartbreaking loss. These memories may be shared with the family and also at the event. Also, we are asking if you have any clippings, photos, videos, audio,…any media at all that could be a part of the event, there’s a place to upload there as well.
I can tell you personally, that Jeffrey loved his life, especially that of teaching acting students all he knew about the craft he dedicated his life to. He lived to teach and inspire others. I look forward to seeing you there as we inspire his spirit and memory to live on.
- Frank Zagottis
Mr. Zeiner taught sold-out classes for over 25 years. He held the only continuing education class at Weist-Barron Studios in New York City. Mr. Zeiner taught classes for both the experienced working actor, and those who want to become one. Students that have studied with Mr. Zeiner have gone on to work with major New York agencies. In a profession that allows little time for an actor to prepare, the actor needs to make choices fast. Jeffrey's appoach did just that. He prepared the actor to do the acting - not the dialogue or script.