Do You Know Me?

[phroso]

Next:

 

 

"Although I was born Gero Jeno in 1884, I was better known by my screen name, which translates from my native language as 'blonde beard.' You see, as a younger actor, I had grown a beard so that I would appear older than my actual age. I worked in Viennese film comedies until the early 1930s, when I fled back to my native country to escape Nazi persecution. In 1940, my native country had joined the Axis powers, so I went to the United States. All three of my sisters stayed behind and died tragically in concentration camps. I had a notable role as a professor in a comedy co-written by another well-known European refugee. I played a waiter in a classic anti-Nazi propaganda film, (in which my name is misspelled in the opening credits.) I became so popular that a nickname was added to my screen name, to my own chagrin. I died of a heart attack in 1955, and am buried in the Garden of Memory at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Who am I?"

[lavenderblue19]

Are you cuddily too?- You are SZ Sakall?

[phroso]

"Yes, I am S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. In CASABLANCA, I'm incorrectly billed as S.K. Congrats on a quick and correct response, lavender. Your move."

[lavenderblue19]

Thank You, Phroso- Really busy day, the thread is open. If no one posts a question I'll try to do one later.

[lavenderblue19]

I'm leaving this one open. Anyone can jump in.

[cujas]

I spent some of my teen years in Russia.

Both of my parents were classical music artists. But I became an actor.

I've starred in some big movies, but most people remember me as a TV actor.

I starred in several Classic TV Series.

 

 

Who Am I?

[MilesArcher]

Are you Efrem Zimbalist Jr.?

[cujas]

Miles--You must remember Kookie's Comb too! Very Good, it's all yours.

[MilesArcher]

Thanks, Cujas. My bio reads a lot like Efrem Zimbalist's. My father was a well known conductor of classical music in Europe and my mother was a soprano. We were Jews who were forced to flee Europe when Hitler came to power in the 1930's. I was just a young teenager at the time. I finished high school in the U.S. and went on to college as well. I served in the U.S. army in World War II. I followed in my parents footsteps and became a concert violinist and pianist, sometimes appearing in orchestras conducted by my father. I also sang in some operas. I had become interested in drama in college and decided to also pursue an acting career. In the 1950's, I did a lot of TV work and a few character roles in movies. I was in Hitchcock's "The Wrong Man", as well as a few episodes of his TV series. I was in a couple of movies with Cary Grant. My big film was "Judgement At Nuremberg". In the sixties, I landed a role in a long running TV series for which I'll always be remembered. I agreed to do it only if I could play the character as a buffoon, because he represented something that was reprehensible to me. I guess I was to be forever typecast. Years later I voiced that character in an episode of "The Simpsons". Do you know me?

[DownGoesFrazier]

deleted

 

Edited by: finance on Mar 23, 2010 10:41 AM

[DownGoesFrazier]

Are you Werner Klemperer?

[MilesArcher]

Yes, forever to be known as Col. Klinck. I actually met a relative of Werner Klemperer some years ago while playing golf on Cape Cod. Elsa Klemperer was a very pleasant older woman with a freckled weather beaten face. When she introduced herself, I asked if she was related to Werner and indeed she was. As we played nine holes together, I found out a lot about Werner and his father, Otto. Apparently, Otto was a world renowned symphony conductor. Werner had finished "Hogan's Heroes" a few years before, but was still working in television doing guest star roles. She said that it was funny that Werner had tried hard to lose his German accent so he would be a more versatile actor, but it was his accent and his name that helped him get his best known acting jobs. I don't think Elsa is with us anymore, she would probably be around 100, but I must say that I enjoyed our afternoon together. Now it's your turn, finance.

[lavenderblue19]

Miles, that's a great story- thanks for sharing it.

[DownGoesFrazier]

Thanks, Miles

 

I was a Hollywood columnist/reporter for over 50 years, best known for my columns in NYC newspapers, which were syndicated. Unlike my peers, I took a particular interest in struggling unknown actors and actresses. Appropriately, I maintained my office on the mezzanine floor of a well-known hangout for stuggling actors. I had a significant role in the advancement of the career of a particular future mega-star. I was also a part-time movie producer, producing 2 biopics about show business personalities.

 

Edited by: finance on Mar 23, 2010 4:50 PM

[DownGoesFrazier]

Hint: This gentleman was not as well-known as Louella Parsons or Hedda Hopper, but he WAS well-known.

 

Edited by: finance on Mar 24, 2010 1:44 PM

[Poinciana]

Are you Sidney Skolsky?

[DownGoesFrazier]

Yes, I am Sidney Skolsky. My office was on the mezzanine of Schwab's Drugstore, and I played a major role in the career of Marilyn Monroe. Your thread, Poinciana.

[DownGoesFrazier]

Yes, I am Sidney Skolsky. My office was on the mezzanine of Schwab's Drugstore, and I played a major role in the career of Marilyn Monroe. Your thread, Poinciana.

[Poinciana]

I was born in 1901 in Brooklyn and no matter what character I played through the years my Brooklyn accent came through. I did stage work and entered the movies as a supporting actress smack in middle age. I played lovable reliable characters and acted in some sparkling well-remembered big time comedies.

 

Who am I?

 

Finance, I could write a short book called "Finding Sidney Skolsky." T'wasn't easy!

[DownGoesFrazier]

Are you Thelma Ritter?

[Poinciana]

I'm not Thelma - never reached those heights but I did well enough. Besides film work I did a lot of episodic tv.

[allaboutlana]

Are you Connie Gilchrist ??

[Poinciana]

I am round-faced huggable Connie.

 

Good going Lana, you're up.

[allaboutlana]

Thanks.

 

?Born in Los Angeles, I learned to play a musical instrument at a young age due to my mother?s influence and was called a prodigy. At the age of 12, I was performing in a symphony orchestra, but I never liked being put on the spot and having to play on cue for people. Instead I took up acting as an excuse to get out of playing. But, I can be seen playing anyway, in my first bit part in movies. My name was changed and my first movie afterwards was a major success, which was remade years later (with me, again) and, even though I did make an occasional drama, I stayed successful in light quirky comedies with some memorable costars. Even though I was a beauty, they seemed to get all the attention just by being themselves. I went on the stage where I earned a devoted following for my dedication to my craft. It was hard work, but I loved every minute of it. I made some tv appearances in the 50s and 60s and then retired, deciding to run a travel agency. I was coaxed out of retirement in the 70s, but sadly it was not meant to be. Just before production, I had a stroke at the age of 45. Due to my popularity in tv anthology programs at the time, I can be found on the May 5, 1952 cover of LIFE magazine, looking glamorous and being the center of attention for myself.?

 

?Do you know me??

[Poinciana]

I would have loved to known you. Are you Diana Lynn?