By his real name Henry Albert Azaria, “Hank” Azaria is not only a renowned actor, but also one of the best poker players in show-biz.
Born and brought up in Forrest Hills, Queens, New York, Azaria graduated from Kew Forest School and then went on to study at Tufts University until 1985, before attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Hopelessly in love with acting, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a stand-up comedian, gradually becoming increasingly popular in local comedy clubs. His first role was in a commercial for an Italian television, a job he got at only 17 years. Today, Hank is famous for his numerous roles in televisions productions, TV series and films, as well as for interpreting the voices of the series “The Simpsons”, the longest animation show ever to run on television. Some of the billboards including Azaria’s name were for “Along Came Polly”, “America’s Sweethearts”, “Mystery Men”, “The Birdcage”, or “Pretty Woman”. He is also famous for his appearances in successful TV shows including “The fresh prince of Bel-Air”, Mad about you”, “Tales from the crypt”, etc.
POKER, A BOY THING
He started playing poker as a “boy thing”, next to Rich Kind, Josh Malina and Andy Newman. Malina and Newman, the designers of the famous TV show “Celebrity Poker Showdown”, were the ones who convinced Azaria and Kind to take up poker seriously, offering them a participation in the show. In order to prepare for the competition, Azaria organized a Hold’em No Limit tour at his house where he invited Kind, Malina, Newman, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer. Although saying that he was contaminated with the Texas Hold’em microbe and that he fell in love with this game, Azaria admits: “I was the first one to reach the Loser’s Lounge both times. We were all losing to the beautiful blondes. We had seriously underestimated the women”. Azaria had a lot to learn from Phil Gordon, the host of the show, but also from Annie Duke, whom he considers his mentor and who helped him get over the obsession of always playing the suite J-10. Moreover, he says he admires professional players like Phil Ivey, Sammy Farha or Daniel Negreanu. “I have never seen Negreanu be wrong about any hand. He was cornered or had bad luck, but the cards he lets go are as impressive as the cards he is playing” says the actor about the Romanian player.
A CELEBRITY AMONG CELEBRITIES
Hank is famous among celebrities keen on poker, especially for the poker games he is organizing at his house every week, in Soho, New York. Next to his guests, the actor plays Texas Hold’em No Limit for a buy-in of $500.
We are now used to seeing poker and charity go hand in hand and Hank Azaria is not absent from the list of celebrities choosing to support noble causes by playing. Azaria is one of the supporters of Ante Up For Africa, a No Limit Texas Hold’em Tour, the actor declaring that he is always delighted to participate in events raising funds worth millions for organizations such as Enough Planet or Darfur Peace and Development Organization. In fact, the actor is actively involved in other causes as well like defending human rights, refugee right, children’s rights, helping the homeless, etc, and in 2010 Hank participated to the second edition of the annual event Children’s Institute Poker for a Cause, held at Commerce Casino in Las Vegas.
A personal project of Hank Azaria is the organization “Determined to Succeed” which offers academic and educational support for students. In order to support the operations of this NGO, the bases of which were lain by Azaria and by Sara Hahn, the actor has also organized the annual poker tour “Determined to Succeed” and Geffen Playhouse. The tour is held in Azaria’s residence and at its last edition were registered 150 players, out of which 18 won fabulous prizes and the winner, actor Nick Cassavetes secured for himself a place at the WSP.
ARTE VIZUALE/MEDIA
