Sam Jaffe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sam Jaffe
Jaffe as David Zorba in Ben Casey, 1961
Born	Shalom Jaffe (1891-03-10)March 10, 1891 New York City, New York U.S.
Died	March 24, 1984(1984-03-24) (aged 93) Beverly Hills, California U.S.
Resting place	Williston Cemetery in Williston, South Carolina
Other names	Sam C. Jaffe
Education	City College of New York (B.Sc. Engineering, 1912)
Occupation	Actor, teacher, engineer
Years active	1918–1984
Spouse(s)	Lillian Taiz ​ ​ (m. 1926; died 1941)​ Bettye Ackerman ​ ​ (m. 1956)​

Shalom "Sam" Jaffe (March 10, 1891 – March 24, 1984) was an American actor. He was also a teacher, musician, and engineer. In 1951, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This was for his role in the movie The Asphalt Jungle (1950). He also appeared in famous films like The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and Ben-Hur (1959). Many people remember him as the main character in Gunga Din (1939). He also played the "High Lama" in Lost Horizon (1937).

Sam Jaffe's Early Life

Sam Jaffe was born in New York City, New York. His parents, Heida and Barnett Jaffe, were from Russia. His mother was an actress in Ukraine before moving to the United States. His father worked as a jeweler. Sam was the youngest of four children.

As a child, Sam acted in plays with his mother. She became a well-known actress and vaudeville star in the U.S. Sam went to Townsend Harris High School. He then studied engineering at City College of New York, graduating in 1912. He also studied at Columbia University. For a few years, he taught math and was a dean at a school. In 1915, he decided to return to acting.

Sam Jaffe's Acting Career

When Sam Jaffe was young, he lived in Greenwich Village. He became close friends with John Huston, who later became a famous director. Sam starred in two of Huston's movies: The Asphalt Jungle and The Barbarian and the Geisha. Sam was also good friends with other famous people like Zero Mostel and Ray Bradbury.

In 1923, Sam appeared in a play called God of Vengeance on Broadway. This play caused some controversy at the time. Sam started working in films in 1934. His first big role was as the mad Tsar Peter III in The Scarlet Empress. In 1938, when he was 47, he played the main role of Gunga Din in the movie Gunga Din.

During the 1950s, Sam Jaffe faced a difficult time. He was "blacklisted" by Hollywood movie studios. This meant he was not allowed to work because some people thought he supported communism. Even so, he was hired for important roles. Director Robert Wise cast him in The Day the Earth Stood Still. Then, director William Wyler cast him in the Oscar-winning movie Ben-Hur in 1959.

From 1961 to 1965, Sam Jaffe co-starred in the TV show Ben Casey. He played Dr. David Zorba alongside Vince Edwards. He also appeared in many other TV shows. These included Batman, Alias Smith and Jones, and Columbo. He even played Emperor Norton in an episode of Bonanza.

Sam Jaffe's Personal Life and Passing

Sam Jaffe was married to Lillian Taiz, a singer, from 1926 until she passed away in 1941.

In 1956, he married actress Bettye Ackerman. She was also his co-star in the TV show Ben Casey. Bettye passed away in 2006. Sam Jaffe did not have any children from either of his marriages.

Sam Jaffe passed away from cancer in Beverly Hills, California. He was 93 years old. His ashes were buried with his wife, Bettye, in Williston, South Carolina.

Selected Film Roles

Selected Television Appearances

Images for kids

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  Jaffe and Ruth Foster on set of Ben Casey

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  Film still of the TV special The Sad and Lonely Sundays (1976). Pictured are Jaffe (left) and Jack Albertson.

See also

In Spanish: Sam Jaffe para niños