Born in a German displaced persons camp, he was lucky to grow up in Canada, where he began his acting career. After several years of active work at the "Toronto Free Theatre," Rubinek went to New York, where he got work on Broadway and in rehearsal theaters. His performance as the best friend of a member of a religious sect in the 1981 film "Ticket to Heaven" became a worthy bid for fame, although most people ignored the film itself.

Saul Rubinek mostly gets supporting roles, but judging by the persuasiveness with which he plays them, he could well handle a leading one too.