Nat Ginzburg
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel "Nat/Natalie" Ginzburg is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz
portrayed by Charles Busch
.
ward. While there he kills his cellmate, imprisoned Mafia boss Antonio Nappa
, on the orders of Chucky Pancamo
, then pleads guilty to murder, moving him to the prison's death row
ward. When his disease worsens as his execution date approaches he notes that he did wonder what would kill him first, the disease or the state.
, who was purposely given the disease by drug trade rival Simon Adebisi
. Ginzburg originally finds Nappa homophobic, especially when he reveals that his name Nat is short for Natalie and not Nathaniel. Nonetheless, Nappa accepts Ginzburg's offer to be his assistant and secretary for Nappa's memoirs, a tell-all autobiography which "names names, places, felonies." Through the "gay gang" in Oswald's Emerald City, Ginzburg reports just how much Nappa is revealing to other imprisoned members of the Mafia. After consultation with the outside, the Mafia orders Nappa dead and Ginzburg is hired to do it, which he does by first drugging his meal then suffocating him with a pillow.
's cell on death row. When Bellinger returns he refuses to give her her old cell back, leaving her to occupy the last of the four, the other ones being used by Moses Deyell
, and Mark Miles
. After Bellinger's execution, Deyell informs Dr. Gloria Nathan
that Ginzburg's condition is worsening and no other doctor has been to see him. After an examination, she and Sister Peter Marie attempt to convince him to move back to the HIV/AIDs ward, but he refuses it.
Despite Sister Pete's opposition to the death penalty, she agrees to help Ginzburg speak to the lawyers about moving his execution date up, feeling in this case that ending Ginzburg's life would be an act of mercy. Ginzburg dresses like Susan Hayward
for his execution, but when he's shaking too much to finish his nails he asks Sister Pete to do it for him. Though she tries, his illness makes it difficult and she insists he lie down and rest instead.
The next morning, as the officials arrive to take him to the gas chamber
they find him dead, dying in his sleep of complications of HIV. Still, Sister Peter Marie finishes his nails post mortem.
Oz (TV series)
Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
portrayed by Charles Busch
Charles Busch
Charles Louis Busch is an American actor, screenwriter, playwright and female impersonator, known for his appearances on stage in his own camp style plays and in film and television. He wrote The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, which was a success on Broadway.-Early life:Busch was born in 1954 and...
.
Character overview
A homosexual, HIV-positive inmate, Ginzburg is isolated from the general population in Oswald State Penitentiary's Unit F–the AIDSAIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
ward. While there he kills his cellmate, imprisoned Mafia boss Antonio Nappa
Antonio Nappa
Antonio Nappa is a fictional character played by Mark Margolis on the HBO dramatic series Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #98N744. Convicted June 4, 1998 - Murder in the second degree. Sentence: 80 years, eligible for parole in 50...
, on the orders of Chucky Pancamo
Chucky Pancamo
Charles "Chucky The Enforcer" Pancamo is a fictional character, played by Chuck Zito, on the HBO series Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #97P468. Convicted June 4, 1997 - Second degree murder. Sentence: 35 years, eligible for parole in 15....
, then pleads guilty to murder, moving him to the prison's death row
Death row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
ward. When his disease worsens as his execution date approaches he notes that he did wonder what would kill him first, the disease or the state.
Season 3
Upon his arrival in the HIV/AIDs ward Ginzburg is placed in to the cell of mob boss Antonio NappaAntonio Nappa
Antonio Nappa is a fictional character played by Mark Margolis on the HBO dramatic series Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #98N744. Convicted June 4, 1998 - Murder in the second degree. Sentence: 80 years, eligible for parole in 50...
, who was purposely given the disease by drug trade rival Simon Adebisi
Simon Adebisi
Simon Adebisi is a fictional character played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje on the HBO dramatic series Oz, set in an experimental prison unit.-Character overview:Prisoner #93A234. Convicted May 2, 1993 - Murder in the first degree...
. Ginzburg originally finds Nappa homophobic, especially when he reveals that his name Nat is short for Natalie and not Nathaniel. Nonetheless, Nappa accepts Ginzburg's offer to be his assistant and secretary for Nappa's memoirs, a tell-all autobiography which "names names, places, felonies." Through the "gay gang" in Oswald's Emerald City, Ginzburg reports just how much Nappa is revealing to other imprisoned members of the Mafia. After consultation with the outside, the Mafia orders Nappa dead and Ginzburg is hired to do it, which he does by first drugging his meal then suffocating him with a pillow.
Season 4
Ginzburg pleads guilty to the murder and is moved to Shirley BellingerShirley Bellinger
Shirley Bellinger is a fictional character in the HBO series Oz played by Kathryn Erbe and also referenced in the related book OZ: Behind These Walls: The Journal of Augustus Hill.-Character overview:...
's cell on death row. When Bellinger returns he refuses to give her her old cell back, leaving her to occupy the last of the four, the other ones being used by Moses Deyell
Moses Deyell
Moses Deyell is a character in HBO's 1997-2003 drama Oz played by Erik King. Deyell appeared in episodes from 2000 to 2001."Prisoner 00D718. Convicted February 3, 2000 - Two counts of murder in the first degree...
, and Mark Miles
Mark Miles
Mark Miles is a fictional character at HBO drama Oz played by Mike Quill.-Character overview:Prisoner 97M573. Convicted July 10, 1997 - three counts of murder in first degree. Sentence: Death....
. After Bellinger's execution, Deyell informs Dr. Gloria Nathan
Gloria Nathan
Dr. Gloria Nathan is a fictional character played by Lauren Vélez, on the HBO drama Oz.- Character overview :Dr. Gloria Nathan is the Chief Attending Physician of Oz. A good person, she deals with conflict all the time, whether it is from the inmates such as Ryan O'Reily, or state medical boards....
that Ginzburg's condition is worsening and no other doctor has been to see him. After an examination, she and Sister Peter Marie attempt to convince him to move back to the HIV/AIDs ward, but he refuses it.
Despite Sister Pete's opposition to the death penalty, she agrees to help Ginzburg speak to the lawyers about moving his execution date up, feeling in this case that ending Ginzburg's life would be an act of mercy. Ginzburg dresses like Susan Hayward
Susan Hayward
Susan Hayward was an American actress.After working as a fashion model in New York, Hayward travelled to Hollywood in 1937 when open auditions were held for the leading role in Gone with the Wind . Although she was not selected, she secured a film contract, and played several small supporting...
for his execution, but when he's shaking too much to finish his nails he asks Sister Pete to do it for him. Though she tries, his illness makes it difficult and she insists he lie down and rest instead.
The next morning, as the officials arrive to take him to the gas chamber
Gas chamber
A gas chamber is an apparatus for killing humans or animals with gas, consisting of a sealed chamber into which a poisonous or asphyxiant gas is introduced. The most commonly used poisonous agent is hydrogen cyanide; carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide have also been used...
they find him dead, dying in his sleep of complications of HIV. Still, Sister Peter Marie finishes his nails post mortem.