Akim Tamiroff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akim Tamiroff
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| Ակիմ Թամիրով | |
Tamiroff in the Netherlands in 1964
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| Born |
Hovakim Tamiryants
October 29, 1899 |
| Died | September 17, 1972 (aged 72) Palm Springs, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Moscow Art Theatre |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1919–1972 |
| Spouse(s) |
Tamara Shayne
(m. 1932) |
Akim Mikhailovich Tamiroff (born Hovakim Tamiryants; October 29, 1899 – September 17, 1972) was a famous actor from Armenia and America. He acted in movies, plays, and TV shows. He was known as a "character actor," meaning he was great at playing many different kinds of people.
Even with a strong accent, Akim Tamiroff became very successful during the "Golden Age of Hollywood." This was a time when many classic movies were made. He acted in at least 80 films over 37 years!
He was nominated twice for an Academy Award (also known as an Oscar) for his acting. He won the very first Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. A famous director and friend, Orson Welles, even called him "the greatest of all screen actors."
Contents
Early Life and Training
Akim Tamiroff was born Hovakim Tamiryants. His parents were Armenian, living in the Russian Empire. Some say he was born in Tiflis (now in Georgia), and others say Baku (now in Azerbaijan).
His father worked with oil, and his mother was a seamstress (someone who sews clothes). When he was 19, he started training at the Moscow Art Theatre drama school. He studied there for nine years with a famous teacher named Konstantin Stanislavski. During this time, he changed his name to Akim Mikhailovich Tamiroff.
Acting on Stage
While at the Moscow Art Theatre, Akim Tamiroff met another Armenian actor, Nikita Balieff. After the Russian Revolution, Tamiroff and other actors who had left Russia joined Balieff in Paris. They formed a traveling show called La Chauve-Souris.
Tamiroff first came to the U.S. in January 1923 for a three-month tour with this show. He acted in Russian plays directed by Stanislavski. He came back to the U.S. in November 1923 and stayed until 1924. His last trip with the show was in October 1927. This time, he decided to stay in America for good. He joined the Theatre Guild in New York City. There, he met his future wife, Tamara Shayne. Later, both of them became citizens of the United States.
Movie and TV Career
Akim Tamiroff's first movie role was in 1932 in Okay, America!. He had many small, uncredited roles at first. In 1935, he appeared in The Lives of a Bengal Lancer. He also acted in the big movie China Seas with famous stars like Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.
In 1936, he got a main role in The General Died at Dawn. He was nominated for an Oscar for this role. He also appeared in the musical High, Wide, and Handsome (1937) and the crime film Dangerous to Know (1938). Many people think his role in Dangerous to Know was one of his best.
In the 1940s, he acted in many more films. These included The Buccaneer (1938) and The Great McGinty (1940). He was in Tortilla Flat (1942) with Spencer Tracy. In Five Graves to Cairo (1943), he played Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. He earned another Oscar nomination for his role in For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943). He also acted in The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944).
Even though he was Armenian, Akim Tamiroff played characters from many different backgrounds. He played Russian, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, French, German, Greek, Egyptian, and many other types of people.
Later in his career, Tamiroff appeared in Ocean's 11 (1960) with Frank Sinatra. He was also in Topkapi (1964) and Alphaville (1965). He worked often with director Orson Welles. Their movies together included Mr Arkadin (1955), Touch of Evil (1958), and The Trial (1962). He also played Sancho Panza in Welles's unfinished movie Don Quixote.
Awards and Recognition
In 1944, Akim Tamiroff won the very first Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. He won it for his work in the movie For Whom the Bell Tolls.
He was nominated twice for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. His first nomination was for The General Died at Dawn. His second was for For Whom the Bell Tolls. Both of these movies starred Gary Cooper.
For all his great work in American movies, Akim Tamiroff has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can find it at 1634 Vine Street.
Personal Life
Akim Tamiroff's birth year is usually listed as 1899. However, some records show slightly different ages. He married fellow actress Tamara Shayne in February 1933 in Los Angeles. They had also performed together in nightclub shows.
Akim Tamiroff was very good at languages. He could speak five different languages: Armenian, Russian, English, French, and Italian.
Death
Akim Tamiroff passed away on September 17, 1972. He died from cancer.
Legacy
Even if his name isn't as well-known today, Akim Tamiroff's acting left a mark. His funny way of speaking in The Great McGinty is thought to have inspired the cartoon character Boris Badenov. Boris is one of the villains on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
He was also made fun of in a 1969 episode of the TV show H.R. Pufnstuf. In that episode, a frog named "Akim Toadanoff" directs a movie. Akim Tamiroff is also mentioned in books by famous writers like J.D. Salinger and Walker Percy.
Filmography
Akim Tamiroff had a very long and busy career, acting in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of his notable roles:
- Okay, America! (1932)
- The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935)
- China Seas (1935)
- The General Died at Dawn (1936)
- The Buccaneer (1938)
- The Great McGinty (1940)
- Tortilla Flat (1942)
- Five Graves to Cairo (1943)
- For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)
- The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)
- Ocean's 11 (1960)
- Topkapi (1964)
- Alphaville (1965)
- Touch of Evil (1958)
- The Trial (1962)
- Don Quixote (unfinished)
He also appeared in many television shows, including:
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1952)
- Playhouse 90 (1957)
- The Rifleman (1958)
- Ocean's 11 (1960)
- Wagon Train (1961)
- Route 66 (1962)
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1966)
See also
In Spanish: Akim Tamiroff para niños
