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Menasha Skulnik ( yi, מנשה סקולניק; May 15, 1890 – June 4, 1970) was an American actor, primarily known for his roles in Yiddish theater in New York City. Skulnik was also popular on radio, playing Uncle David on '' The Goldbergs'' for 19 years. He made many television and Broadway appearances as well, including successful runs in Clifford Odets's ''The Flowering Peach'' and
Skulnik knew exactly what he was in comedy: "I play a
/ref> Skulnik was dubbed the "East Side's Chaplin" by the New York Evening Journal in 1935. He collapsed on stage in New Haven, Connecticut, during a dress rehearsal of a show he was bringing to Broadway, and died several weeks later on June 4, 1970, in New York City. He is buried in the Yiddish theater section of the Mount Hebron Cemetery.
Menasha Skulnik ( yi, מנשה סקולניק; May 15, 1890 – June 4, 1970) was an American actor, primarily known for his roles in Yiddish theater in New York City. Skulnik was also popular on radio, playing Uncle David on '' The Goldbergs'' for 19 years. He made many television and Broadway appearances as well, including successful runs in Clifford Odets's ''The Flowering Peach'' and Harold Rome
Harold Jacob "Hecky" Rome (May 27, 1908 – October 26, 1993) was an American composer, lyricist, and writer for musical theater.
Biography
Rome was born in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from Hartford Public High School. Originally, he ch ...
's ''The Zulu and the Zayda
''The Zulu and the Zayda'' is a musical play by Howard Da Silva and Felix Leon, with music and lyrics by Harold Rome (his last musical score), and directed by Dore Schary. It was based on a story by Dan Jacobson. Described as a comedy with mu ...
''.
Life and career
Born in Warsaw, Poland, Skulnik reportedly ran away at the age of 10 to join a circus. In 1913 he emigrated to the United States, and sometime after his arrival joined a Yiddish stock company in Philadelphia, where his fellow actors included Molly Picon. His diminutive stature (5'4"), high nasal voice, mannerisms and appearance, made him a natural for comedy.
Skulnik knew exactly what he was in comedy: "I play a schlemiel
Schlemiel ( yi, שלומיאל; sometimes spelled shlemiel or shlumiel) is a Yiddish term meaning "inept/incompetent person" or "fool". It is a common archetype in Jewish humor, and so-called "''schlemiel'' jokes" depict the ''schlemiel'' falling i ...
, a dope. Sometimes they call me the Yiddish Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is consider ...
, and I don't like this. Chaplin's dope is a little bit of a wiseguy. He's got a little larceny in him. I am a pure schlemiel, with no string attached."/ref> Skulnik was dubbed the "East Side's Chaplin" by the New York Evening Journal in 1935. He collapsed on stage in New Haven, Connecticut, during a dress rehearsal of a show he was bringing to Broadway, and died several weeks later on June 4, 1970, in New York City. He is buried in the Yiddish theater section of the Mount Hebron Cemetery.
Stage
*''In a Tenement House'' (1932) *''God Man and Devil'' (1935) *''The Perfect Fishel'' (1935) *''Laugh Night'' (1936) *''Schlemihl'' (1936) *''Yossel and His Wives'' (1937) *''The Little Tailor'' (1938) *''The Wise Fool'' (1938) *''Mazel Tov, Rabbi'' (1938) *''Three Men and a Girl'' (1939) *''The Fifth Season'' (1953) *''The Flowering Peach'' (1954) *''Uncle Willie'' (1956) *'' The 49th Cousin'' (1960) *''The Zulu and the Zayda
''The Zulu and the Zayda'' is a musical play by Howard Da Silva and Felix Leon, with music and lyrics by Harold Rome (his last musical score), and directed by Dore Schary. It was based on a story by Dan Jacobson. Described as a comedy with mu ...
'' (1965)
*''Chu Chem
''Chu Chem'' is a musical with a book by Ted Allen, lyrics by Jim Haines and Jack Wohl, and music by Mitch Leigh.
Background
Allen's inspiration was a trip to Kaifeng Fu (''prefecture''), China, the site of a major Jewish migration in the 10th ...
'' (1966)
Radio
*'' Abie's Irish Rose'' *'' The Goldbergs''Television
''Menasha the Magnificent'' (1950)References
External links
* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Skulnik, Menasha 1890 births 1970 deaths Donaldson Award winners Yiddish comedians Yiddish theatre performers Jewish American comedians Male actors from New York City Polish emigrants to the United States Comedians from New York City 20th-century American comedians Yiddish-language satirists Jewish American male comedians Jewish Polish comedians Burials at Mount Hebron Cemetery (New York City) 20th-century American Jews