Lou Jacobi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lou Jacobi
Jacobi in Ivan the Terrible (1976)
Born	Louis Harold Jacobovitch (1913-12-28)December 28, 1913 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died	October 23, 2009(2009-10-23) (aged 95) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1924-1994
Spouse(s)	Ruth Ludwin ​ ​ (m. 1957; died 2004)​

Lou Jacobi (born Louis Harold Jacobovitch) was a Canadian actor known for playing many different kinds of characters. He was born on December 28, 1913, and passed away on October 23, 2009.

Jacobi became famous for his role as Mr. Van Daan in the 1955 Broadway play The Diary of Anne Frank. He played the same role in the 1959 movie version. He also appeared in many other films. Some of these include Irma la Douce (1963), Arthur (1981), and Avalon (1990).

Early Life and First Steps

Lou Jacobi was born Louis Harold Jacobovitch in Toronto, Canada. His parents were Joseph and Fay Jacobovitch.

He started acting when he was just a boy. His first time on stage was in 1924 in Toronto. He played a talented violin player in a play called The Rabbi and the Priest.

Before becoming a full-time actor, Jacobi had many different jobs. He worked as a drama director and a social director at a summer resort. He also performed as a stand-up comedian and entertained at weddings. Later, he moved to London to act in plays like Guys and Dolls.

Acting Career Highlights

Lou Jacobi's first movie was a British comedy in 1953 called Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?. He made his debut on Broadway in 1955. This was in The Diary of Anne Frank. He played Hans van Daan, a character hiding with the Frank family. He later played this role again in the 1959 movie.

Jacobi also acted in other famous Broadway shows. These included The Tenth Man (1959) and Don’t Drink the Water (1966). He was also in Neil Simon’s first play, Come Blow Your Horn (1961). In that play, he was the disappointed father of the main character.

Jacobi's star on Canada's Walk of Fame

Famous Movie Roles

Lou Jacobi appeared in many memorable films. In Everything You Always Wanted to Know About ...* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) (1972), he played Sam Musgrave. He was the lucky florist in Arthur (1981). In My Favorite Year (1982), he played Uncle Morty, a simple but kind character.

He also appeared in Amazon Women on the Moon (1987). In this movie, he was a man named Murray who got stuck inside a television. One of his last film roles was in I.Q. (1994). In this movie, he played the famous mathematician Kurt Gödel.

Television Appearances

Jacobi was a guest star on many popular TV shows. These included Playhouse 90, Too Close for Comfort, and Sanford and Son. He was also a regular performer on The Dean Martin Show. In 1976, he starred in a CBS comedy series called Ivan the Terrible. He played a Russian headwaiter living with many people in a small apartment.

Awards and Recognition

In 1999, Lou Jacobi was honored for his long career. He was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. He was 85 years old at the time. Film critic Roger Ebert interviewed Jacobi then. Ebert later wrote that looking at Lou made him feel good about getting older.

Personal Life

Lou Jacobi was married to Ruth Ludwin. They were married from 1957 until her passing in 2004. Lou Jacobi passed away on October 23, 2009, at his home in Manhattan. He was 95 years old. He is remembered by his brother, Avrom, and sister, Rae.

Interestingly, Lou Jacobi's voice helped inspire the character Dr. Zoidberg from the cartoon show Futurama.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre