Jimmy Ritz (born Samuel Joachim; October 4, 1904 – November 17, 1985), was an American comedian and actor. He was also the second
Ritz Brother.
Early life
Ritz was born Samuel Joachim to parents Max (December 1871 – January 4, 1939) and Pauline Joachim (May 1874 – November 26, 1935) on October 4, 1904. His father was a
haberdasher from
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...
and his mother was
Russian
Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including:
*Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries
*Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...
. Ritz had three brothers, George,
Al, and
Harry
Harry may refer to:
TV shows
* ''Harry'' (American TV series), a 1987 American comedy series starring Alan Arkin
* ''Harry'' (British TV series), a 1993 BBC drama that ran for two seasons
* ''Harry'' (talk show), a 2016 American daytime talk show ...
, and a sister, Gertrude Soll.
Career
The Ritz Brothers began as a dancing act in 1925, and by 1929 they had become
vaudeville
Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...
headliners. When vaudeville faded, they took their act, which combined complicated dance routines, sound-alike singing voices and a distinctively zany, juvenile humor (their theme song was titled ''Collegiate''), to film, full theatrical presentations, and eventually television.
They were appearing on the
Sunset Strip in
Hollywood when movie producer
Darryl F. Zanuck
Darryl Francis Zanuck (September 5, 1902December 22, 1979) was an American film producer and studio executive; he earlier contributed stories for films starting in the silent era. He played a major part in the Hollywood studio system as one of ...
spotted them. Their first film, ''
Sing, Baby, Sing
''Sing, Baby, Sing'' is a 1936 American film. Richard A. Whiting and Walter Bullock received an Academy Award nomination in Best Original Song at the 9th Academy Awards for their song "When Did You Leave Heaven".
Plot
After Joan Warren (Alice ...
'', in 1936, was followed by ''
On the Avenue
''On the Avenue'' is a 1937 American musical film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Dick Powell, Madeleine Carroll, Alice Faye, George Barbier, and The Ritz Brothers. Many of the songs were composed by Irving Berlin. Many of the plot deta ...
'', ''
You Can't Have Everything
''You Can't Have Everything'' is a 1937 Fox musical film directed by Norman Taurog and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. The film stars Alice Faye and Don Ameche, and was the film debut for Gypsy Rose Lee credited as Louise Hovick part of her bir ...
'', ''
Life Begins in College
''Life Begins in College'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by William A. Seiter. It marked the Ritz Brothers' first starring role in a feature film.
Plot
The action takes place at Lombardy College, founded "to give the Indian nations of ...
'', ''
Hi'ya, Chum
''Hi'ya, Chum'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film starring Jane Frazee and the Ritz Brothers.
Cast
* Ritz Brothers - Merry Madcaps
* Jane Frazee - Sunny Lee
* Robert Paige - Tommy Craig
* June Clyde - Madge Tracy
* Paul Hurst
Paul M ...
'', ''
One in a Million'', ''
The Gorilla'', ''
The Three Musketeers
''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight ...
'', ''
The Goldwyn Follies
''The Goldwyn Follies'' is a 1938 Technicolor film written by Ben Hecht, Sid Kuller, Sam Perrin and Arthur Phillips, with music by George Gershwin, Vernon Duke, and Ray Golden, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Sid Kuller. Some sources credit Kurt ...
'', ''
Straight, Place and Show'', ''
Pack Up Your Troubles'', ''
Argentine Nights
''Argentine Nights'' is a 1940 musical film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring The Andrews Sisters. It was their first film.
Premise
Three conmen go to Argentina to escape their creditors.
Production
The Ritz Brothers appeared in the film ...
,'' ''Behind the Eight Ball,'' ''
Blazing Stewardesses'' and ''
Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood
''Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood'' is a 1976 American comedy film directed by Michael Winner, and starring Bruce Dern, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr and Art Carney. Spoofing the craze surrounding Rin Tin Tin, the film is notable for the lar ...
'', the last two with Harry only. Al died in 1965.
Death
Ritz died on November 17, 1985, in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
due to
heart disease at the age of 81. He is buried with his brothers at the
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a full-service cemetery, funeral home, crematory, and cultural events center which regularly hosts community events such as live music and summer movie screenings. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angel ...
in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
.
Filmography
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ritz, Jimmy
1904 births
1985 deaths
American male comedians
20th-century American comedians
American male film actors
Jewish American comedians
Jewish American male actors
Male actors from Newark, New Jersey
American male comedy actors
20th-century American male actors
Vaudeville performers
Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Jewish American male comedians
20th-century American Jews