| Jack Albertson |
Article Index for Jack |
Website Links For Jack |
Information AboutJack Albertson |
|
Jonathan "Jack" Albertson ( June 16 , 1907 - November 25 , 1981 ) was considered a complete entertainer from the old school. He was an American Actor , Comedian , Dancer , Singer , and Musician . Albertson was born in Malden, Massachusetts to Jewish parents - Flora Craft, a Russian immigrant, and Leo Albertson, a Polish immigrant. He had an older sister, Mabel Albertson , and a brother, Frank, who were also Actors . Albertson dropped out of high school and traveled to New York City in an attempt make it big in show business. He was too poor to get a room in a flophouse, so in the winter he would sleep on the subway for a nickel, and hide out when the transit workers would clear out the train at the end of the line. In the summer he would sleep in Central Park . His first real job in show business was with a Vaudeville road troupe, the Dancing Verselle Sisters. Albertson soon worked in Burlesque as a hoofer (soft shoe dancer) and straight man to Phil Silvers on the ''Minsky's Burlesque Circuit''. Besides vaudeville and Burlesque , he appeared on the stage in many Broadway plays including ''High Button Shoes'', ''Top Banana'', ''The Cradle Will Rock'', ''Make Mine Manhattan'', '' Show Boat '', ''Boy Meets Girl'', ''Girl Crazy'', ''Meet the People'', ''The Sunshine Boys'' (for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor), and ''The Subject was Roses'' (for which he won a Tony for Best Supporting Actor). He was also known for two radio programs, ''Just Plain Bill'' and ''The Jack Albertson Comedy Show''. Jack Albertson had a prolific movie career as well, mostly playing supporting roles. Notable among these were:
Other films include:
(by no means an exhaustive list) His one regret was that he was not asked to reprise his role in the movie version of '' The Sunshine Boys ''. Television also saw much of Albertson's talent. He had recurring or starring roles on:
He also guest starred on numerous shows, including:
(again, by no means an exhaustive list) Albertson was married to Wallace (Wally) Thompson and had one daughter, Maura. He resided for years in West Hollywood, California . In 1978 he was diagnosed with Colon Cancer , but kept this information from the public so he could continue to act. He made one movie, '' My Body, My Child '' (1982) and one TV movie, '' Grandpa, Will You Run With Me? '' ( 1982 ) before his death that were released posthumously. Jack Albertson died on and his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean .
EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|