Sig Ruman

Sig Ruman (born Siegfried Rumann) (1884-1967) was a German-born actor known for his comic portrayals of pompous villains.

Related Topics:
1884 - 1967 - German - Comic

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Born in Hamburg, he studied electrical engineering before serving with the Imperial German army during the First World War. After moving to the United States in 1924, his acting career blossomed. Befriending playwright George S. Kaufman and theater critic Alexander Woolcott, he enjoyed success in many Broadway productions.

Related Topics:
Hamburg - Electrical engineering - Imperial German - First World War - 1924 - George S. Kaufman - Alexander Woolcott - Broadway

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With the advent of talkies, Ruman became a favorite of the Marx Brothers, appearing in A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, and A Night in Casablanca. His German accent and large stature kept him busy during World War II, playing sinister Nazi characters in a series of wartime thrillers. During this period, he also appeared in several films by Ernst Lubitsch, a fellow German immigrant.

Related Topics:
Talkie - Marx Brothers - A Night at the Opera - A Day at the Races - A Night in Casablanca - World War II - Nazi - Ernst Lubitsch

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Despite poor health during the 50's and 60's, Ruman continued to find work, making many guest appearances on television. In 1953, he played what is perhaps his most famous role--that of "Schultz", the bumbling, two-faced POW camp guard in Stalag 17. He died of a heart attack on February 14th, 1967, in Julian, California.

Related Topics:
50's - 60's - Television - 1953 - POW camp - Stalag 17 - Heart attack - February 14 - Julian, California

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