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Sam Jaffe
Sam Jaffe David Zorba Ben Casey.jpg
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)
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

Year Film Role Director
1934 The Scarlet Empress Grand Duke Peter Josef von Sternberg
1937 Lost Horizon High Lama Frank Capra
1939 Gunga Din Gunga Din George Stevens
1950 The Asphalt Jungle Doc Erwin Riedenschneider John Huston
1951 The Day the Earth Stood Still Professor Jacob Barnhardt Robert Wise
1959 Ben-Hur Simonides William Wyler
1971 Bedknobs and Broomsticks Bookman Robert Stevenson
1980 Battle Beyond the Stars Dr. Hephaestus Jimmy T. Murakami

Selected Television Appearances

  • Ben Casey (1961–1965) – Dr. David Zorba (127 episodes)
  • Bonanza, episode "The Emperor Norton" (1966) – Joshua Norton
  • Batman, episode "Walk the Straight and Narrow" (1966) – Zoltan Zorba
  • Alias Smith and Jones (1971-1972) – Soapy Saunders (3 episodes)
  • Columbo: "Forgotten Lady" (1975)
  • The Bionic Woman, episode "Kill Oscar: Part 3" (1976) – Admiral Richter
  • Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, episode "Flight Of The War Witch" (1980) – Council Leader

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sam Jaffe para niños

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