Jules Munshin (February 22, 1915 – February 19, 1970) was an American actor, comedian and singer who had made his name on Broadway when he starred in Call Me Mister. His additional Broadway credits include The Gay Life and Barefoot in the Park. On screen, he is best remembered for On the Town, in which he co-starred with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly as sailors on leave in New York City.
Jules Munshin | |
|---|---|
 Munshin in Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949) | |
| Born | February 22, 1915 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 19, 1970 (aged 54) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Long Island National Cemetery |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1942–1969 |
| Known for | On the Town |
| Spouses |
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Early life
editMunshin was born in New York City and began in show business shortly after graduating from high school. He worked in Catskill resorts, then vaudeville and was a singer for the George Olsen band. While serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he played in Army shows such as The Army Play‐by‐Play and About Face, a touring show that featured Joe Louis.[1]
Career
editIn 1946 he joined the Broadway show Call Me Mister which dealt with the issues that servicemen encountered with return to civilian life. It ran to 734 performances.[2]
In 1948 he moved from Broadway to film. He appeared in such Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals as Easter Parade (1948), Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949), On the Town (1949) and Silk Stockings (1957).
In August 1958 he appeared at the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End in a run of George Tabori's play Brouhaha with Peter Sellers in the lead role and also featuring Lionel Jeffries.[3] One of the September shows was televised on the BBC.[4] The show, which was directed by Peter Hall, ran until 28 February 1959.[5]
Death
editMunshin died in New York City at the age of 54 from a heart attack, three days before his 55th birthday.[6] He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery.[7]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Easter Parade | Headwaiter François | |
| 1949 | Take Me Out to the Ball Game | Nat Goldberg | |
| 1949 | That Midnight Kiss | Michael Pemberton | |
| 1949 | On the Town | Ozzie | Sang "New York, New York" |
| 1951 | Nous irons à Monte Carlo | Bullfighter in Musical Melange with Antoine | (cameo appearance), Uncredited |
| 1953 | Monte Carlo Baby | Antoine | |
| 1956 | G.E. Summer Originals | TV series, Episode "It's Sunny Again" | |
| 1957 | Ten Thousand Bedrooms | Arthur | |
| 1957 | Silk Stockings | Bibinski | |
| 1959 | A Christmas Festival | The Manager | TV movie |
| 1960 | Summer in New York | TV movie | |
| 1960 | The Emperor's Clothes | TV movie | |
| 1964 | Wild and Wonderful | Rousseleau, TV Director | |
| 1967 | Monkeys, Go Home! | Monsieur Piastillio | |
| 1969 | That Girl | Harry Fields/Rudy Clarn | TV series (2 episodes) |
| 1976 | Mastermind | Israeli Agent #1 | (final film role, released posthumously) |
References
edit- ^ "Jules Munshin, Comedy Actor In Film and On Stage, Dies at 54". The New York Times. February 20, 1970. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ New York Times, 28 August 1958
- ^ Radio Times 18 September 1958
- ^ "UoB Calmview5: Search results".
- ^ Monush, Barry (2003). Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors, Vol. 1: From the Silent Era to 1965. Applause Theater & Cinema Books. p. 533. ISBN 978-1557835512.
- ^ Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.