Eli Wallach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eli Wallach
Wallach in 1966
Born	Eli Herschel Wallach (1915-12-07)December 7, 1915 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Died	June 24, 2014(2014-06-24) (aged 98) Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Texas (B.A.) City College of New York (MEd) Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1945–2010
Spouse(s)	Anne Jackson ​ (m. 1948)​
Children	3
Relatives	Joan Wallach Scott (niece) A. O. Scott (grandnephew)
Awards	BAFTA Awards, Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, Honorary Academy Award
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Eli Herschel Wallach (December 7, 1915 – June 24, 2014) was a famous American actor. He starred in movies, TV shows, and plays. His acting career lasted for 65 years!

Eli Wallach was known as a "character actor". This means he was great at playing many different kinds of people. He often played supporting roles, making the main characters shine. He and his wife, Anne Jackson, were also a well-known acting couple. They often performed together on stage.

Eli Wallach won many awards for his acting. These include a BAFTA Award, Tony Awards, and Emmy Awards. He also received an Honorary Academy Award.

Early Life and Military Service

Eli Wallach was born on December 7, 1915, in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York. His parents were immigrants from Poland. They owned a candy store. Eli grew up in a neighborhood that was mostly Italian American. His family was one of the few Jewish families there.

He went to the University of Texas and studied history. While there, he acted in a play with future stars like Ann Sheridan. Eli said he learned a lot about friendship in Texas. He then earned a master's degree from the City College of New York.

Eli learned acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. He studied a style called "method acting." This helped actors truly feel their characters' emotions.

In 1940, Eli joined the United States Army. He served as a medic in Hawaii. Later, he became an officer. While in France, he helped create a play for soldiers. It was a comedy that made fun of dictators. Eli played Adolf Hitler! He left the army in 1945 as a captain. He received several medals for his service.

Becoming a Stage Actor

After the war, Eli Wallach continued his acting studies. He became a founding member of the Actors Studio. This was a famous place where many great actors trained. Some of his classmates included Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe even became friends with Eli and his wife, Anne Jackson. She sometimes babysat their child!

In 1945, Eli made his first appearance on Broadway. This is the highest level of theater in New York City. He won a Tony Award in 1951 for his role in The Rose Tattoo. He acted in many other famous plays. These included Mister Roberts and The Teahouse of the August Moon.

With Maureen Stapleton in The Rose Tattoo (1951)

Eli loved acting on stage the most. He said it was the "most alive" and "most joyous" thing he could do. For many years, he and Anne Jackson struggled to make enough money. They often relied on unemployment benefits.

Eli and Anne became a very famous acting couple. They enjoyed working together. Eli said he had "tremendous respect" for Anne as an actress. He started taking movie roles to "help pay the bills." Even after becoming a film star, he kept acting in plays. He often performed with Anne. They acted together as late as the year 2000.

Film and Television Roles

Eli Wallach's first movie was Baby Doll in 1956. He won a BAFTA Award for this role. It was for "Most Promising Newcomer."

He went on to act in over 90 films! He was known for playing many different types of characters. He played Mexican bandits, Italian Mafia leaders, and even old Jewish men. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences called him "the quintessential chameleon." This means he could change into any character easily.

Wallach and Carroll Baker in the swing scene from Baby Doll

In 1961, Eli starred in The Misfits. He acted alongside Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. These were their last films before they passed away. The movie's writer, Arthur Miller, said Eli "really enjoys the work."

One of his most famous roles was Tuco ("The Ugly") in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). He starred with Clint Eastwood in this Western movie. Eli and Clint became good friends. Clint Eastwood later said working with Eli was "one of the great pleasures of my life."

Eli also appeared in many TV shows. He was in popular dramas during the 1950s. He won an Emmy Award in 1967 for his role in The Poppy is Also a Flower. In the 1960s, he played the villain Mr. Freeze in the Batman TV series. He said he received more fan mail for Mr. Freeze than for all his other roles combined!

Wallach at the 2010 TCM Classic Film Festival

In 1990, he played a mob boss in The Godfather Part III. He continued acting even into his nineties. His last movie roles were in 2010.

In 2010, at 94 years old, Eli Wallach received an Academy Honorary Award. This award honored his amazing contributions to movies.

Personal Life

Eli Wallach was married to actress Anne Jackson for 66 years. They were married from 1948 until his death. They had three children: Peter, Roberta, and Katherine. Their daughter Roberta also became an actress.

A few years before 2005, Eli lost sight in his left eye. This was due to a stroke.

His niece, Joan Wallach Scott, is a famous historian. His great-nephew, A. O. Scott, is a film critic for The New York Times.

Death

Eli Wallach passed away on June 24, 2014. He was 98 years old. His body was cremated. His wife, Anne Jackson, died two years later in 2016.

Filmography

Selected filmography:

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Eli Wallach para niños