Zero Mostel

Zero Mostel (February 25, 1915 – September 8, 1977) was a Tony Award-winning stage actor. He was born Samuel Joel Mostel.

Related Topics:
February 25 - 1915 - September 8 - 1977 - Tony Award

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Born in Brooklyn, New York. In the 1950s, he was blacklisted on account of his leftist political beliefs, which he later drew upon for his role as Hecky Brown in the film, The Front. He was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee on October 14, 1955. He denied that he was a member of the Communist Party, but refused to cooperate with the committee's investigation. Afterward, he was essentially banned from film roles for several years. His longtime friend (and fellow HUAC target) Burgess Meredith helped him

Related Topics:
Brooklyn, New York - 1950s - Blacklisted - The Front - House Un-American Activities Committee - October 14 - 1955 - Communist Party - Burgess Meredith

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land some Off-Broadway theater work to keep his career afloat.

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In 1962, his career recovered with his Tony Award winning performance in the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (a role he reprised in the 1966 film version). In 1964, he joined the original cast of the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, for which he won a Tony in 1965.

Related Topics:
1962 - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1966 - 1964 - Fiddler on the Roof - 1965

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Mostel won an Obie Award for his 1958 role as Leopold Bloom in Ulysses in Nighttown, a stage adaptation by Marjorie Barkentin of James Joyce's novel Ulysses. He reprised his role in 1974. His most famous film role was probably as Max Bialystock in Mel Brooks' The Producers (1968).

Related Topics:
Obie Award - 1958 - Leopold Bloom - Ulysses in Nighttown - James Joyce - Ulysses - 1974 - Mel Brooks - The Producers - 1968

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He was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Front, the 1976 film with Woody Allen that presented one perspective of the blacklisting period in Hollywood.

Related Topics:
BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor - The Front - Woody Allen

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He guest-appeared on The Muppet Show, and has the macabre distinction of being the only guest to die before their episode aired. His last film appearance was as the voice of Kehaar in the animated adaptation of Watership Down.

Related Topics:
The Muppet Show - Watership Down

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He married Kathryn Harkin on July 2, 1944, and they had two sons: Josh Mostel, also a film actor, born 1946, and Tobias, born 1949.

Related Topics:
July 2 - 1944 - Josh Mostel - 1946 - 1949

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