Josh Malina knows how to make an audience laugh.

“Thank you for being half my age, and making me feel twice my age,” said the 38-year-old Malina, noting that many actors persist in thinking they can play college students long past the point of believability.

Malina, who plays a principle character in “The West Wing,” peppered his speech with quips, many at his own expense, during an address Wednesday night at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.

Malina talked about his long-standing relationship with “The West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin, dating back to when both men were growing up in suburbs of New York.

On one occasion, while Malina was performing in Sorkin’s Broadway production of “A Few Good Men,” Malina saved Sorkin from choking on a hamburger at a bowling alley by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

“I really had no idea what I was doing,” Malina said. “I basically just beat him up from behind.”

Malina he has appeared in almost all of Sorkin’s projects since.

He played Jeremy Goodwin on Sorkin’s short-lived ABC series “Sports Night,” which was canceled after two seasons when it failed to draw a large enough audience. When Malina mentioned the series as “big break No. 2” in his career, the audience applauded.

“If everybody who clapped actually watched the show, I don’t understand why it’s not still on the air,” Malina quipped.

Malina, who joined the “West Wing” cast last season as speechwriter Will Bailey, also spoke about life in show business, noting that actors typically have the easiest job in any production.

“I try to remember now when I’m working as an actor that I’m surrounded by people who are working much, much harder than me,” said Malina, adding that he and his “West Wing” colleagues often work up to 18-hour days.

Co-star Richard Schiff once calculated that during the shooting season, he spent more time with the “West Wing” cast than with his family, Malina said.

In the question-and-answer session after his speech, Malina was asked about the political atmosphere on the set of “The West Wing.”

“It’s pretty lefty,” Malina said. “I’m a registered Democrat. I feel like a 70-year-old Republican on the set.”

Despite the light-hearted elements, Malina’s speech also included more serious notes, many relating to his Jewish faith and how it has affected his career.

“A Jew is who I am,” Malina said. “An actor is what I do — nothing more.”

His faith has led Malina to become more outspoken in his support for Israel’s right to exist. Malina, whose appearance was sponsored by Hillel Cultural Life, said he was particularly disturbed by the lack of high-profile Jews willing to publicly defend Israel.

“Israel today fights a battle of bullets and sound bytes for its very existence,” Malina said.

But, he added, he doesn’t always agree with the Ariel Sharon-led government’s decisions.

“My support for Israel is neither blind nor monolithic,” said Malina, calling on audience members to educate themselves on the issues.

“I urge you to get informed, get involved — get involved in meaningful discussion and debate,” he said.

Malina’s audience reacted warmly to the speech, frequently applauding or breaking out in laughter.

“I thought (the speech) was very eloquent,” said Andrew Levin, a Weinberg freshman. “He mixed it with humor as well, which made it enjoyable to anyone.”

Weinberg sophomore Rachel Sacks, who introduced Malina and serves on Hillel’s executive board, said she thought the event went very well — even though it drew lower attendance than the group had hoped for.

“I think his speech was absolutely perfect for a Hillel speaker,” Sacks said. “I think that he spoke to a lot of really important issues. And of course everyone likes to hear what it’s like behind the scenes of a show.”