Actor. Born Eli Herschel Wallach, son of Jewish immigrants Abraham and Bertha (Schorr) Wallach from Przemyśl (Poland). After graduating from the University of Texas, Wallach returned to New York and studied method acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, where his fellow students included Tony Randall, Gregory Peck and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. After serving as a medic in World War II, he resumed acting and landed his first Broadway part in 1945. Within the next few years, he rose to become a fixture on the New York stage and in 1951, he won a Tony Award for playing Alvaro in Tennessee Williams' original production of 'The Rose Tattoo'. He made his movie debut in Elia Kazan's 'Baby Doll' (1956) and went on to appear in more than 90 films in a career that spanned seven decades. His most memorable roles were in such films as 'The Lineup' (1958), 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960), 'The Misfits' (1961) opposite Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe in their final film appearances; 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' (1966), 'How to Steal a Million' (1966), 'Cinderella Liberty' (1973) and 'The Godfather: Part III' (1990). On television, he won an Emmy in 1966 for his role in 'Poppies Are Also Flowers', and also earned nominations for his work on 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' and 'Nurse Jackie'. In 2010, he accepted an Honorary Academy Award, becoming the oldest Oscar recipient. Wallach, who had been married to actress Anne Jackson since 1948, died of natural causes.
Actor. Born Eli Herschel Wallach, son of Jewish immigrants Abraham and Bertha (Schorr) Wallach from Przemyśl (Poland). After graduating from the University of Texas, Wallach returned to New York and studied method acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, where his fellow students included Tony Randall, Gregory Peck and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. After serving as a medic in World War II, he resumed acting and landed his first Broadway part in 1945. Within the next few years, he rose to become a fixture on the New York stage and in 1951, he won a Tony Award for playing Alvaro in Tennessee Williams' original production of 'The Rose Tattoo'. He made his movie debut in Elia Kazan's 'Baby Doll' (1956) and went on to appear in more than 90 films in a career that spanned seven decades. His most memorable roles were in such films as 'The Lineup' (1958), 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960), 'The Misfits' (1961) opposite Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe in their final film appearances; 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' (1966), 'How to Steal a Million' (1966), 'Cinderella Liberty' (1973) and 'The Godfather: Part III' (1990). On television, he won an Emmy in 1966 for his role in 'Poppies Are Also Flowers', and also earned nominations for his work on 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' and 'Nurse Jackie'. In 2010, he accepted an Honorary Academy Award, becoming the oldest Oscar recipient. Wallach, who had been married to actress Anne Jackson since 1948, died of natural causes.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Family Members
Advertisement
