Maurice Moscovich
Maurice Moscovich (November 23, 1871 – June 18, 1940) was a Russian American actor who was well-known for his roles in Yiddish theatre. His 14 films, which he made at the end of his life, include Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator.
Maurice Moscovich | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Morris Maaskov November 23, 1871 |
| Died | June 18, 1940 (aged 68) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
| Years active | 1899–1940 |
| Spouse(s) | Rose Moscovich (b.1872 - d. 1944) |
| Children | Anton Maaskoff, Harry Madison, Noel Madison |
Life and career
Maurice Moscovich was born in the former Russian Empire in Odessa. He emigrated to the United States not later than 1897 and performed for decades in the Yiddish theatre in New York and appeared in two 1930 Broadway plays.[1]
In the last four years of his life, Moscovitch played supporting roles in 14 films. With his distinctive accent, he portrayed mostly wise and friendly old men, often with Jewish background. He played a shopkeeper in the highly praised Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) and the art dealer Maurice Cobert in Love Affair (1939) with Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. His last film was Charlie Chaplin's Hitler-satire The Great Dictator, in which he played the Barber's friendly Jewish neighbour, Mr. Jaeckel, who flees into exile to his brother.
Maurice Moskovich died at the age of 68, following surgery. At the time of his death, he was playing the role of a dancing master in Dance, Girl, Dance. His role had to be quickly rewritten for actress Maria Ouspenskaya. He is buried with his wife Ruth (1872–1944) at the Beth Olam Cemetery in Hollywood.[2]
Moscovich's son Noel Madison (1897-1975) was also a character actor.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Winterset | Esdras | |
| 1937 | Make Way for Tomorrow | Max Rubens | |
| 1937 | Lancer Spy | Gen. Von Meinhardt | |
| 1938 | Gateway | Grandpa Hlawek | |
| 1938 | Suez | Mohammed Ali | |
| 1939 | Love Affair | Maurice Cobert | |
| 1939 | Susannah of the Mounties | Chief Big Eagle | |
| 1939 | In Name Only | Dr. Muller | |
| 1939 | Rio | Old Convict | |
| 1939 | The Great Commandment | Lamech | |
| 1939 | Everything Happens at Night | Dr. Hugo Norden | |
| 1940 | South to Karanga | Paul Stacco | |
| 1940 | The Great Dictator | Mr. Jaeckel | (final film role) |
