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Sam Jaffe

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Actor

The Resume

    (March 10, 1891-March 24, 1984)
    Born in New York City, New York
    Birth name was Shalom Jaffe
    Acted in 'The Scarlet Empress (1934),' 'Lost Horizon (1937),' 'Gunga Din (1939),' 'Gentleman's Agreement (1947),' 'Rope of Sand (1949),' 'The Asphalt Jungle (1950),' 'The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951),' 'The Spies (1957),' 'The Barbarian and the Geisha (1958),' 'Ben-Hur (1959),' 'Guns for San Sebastian (1968),' 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971),' 'Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)' and 'Nothing Lasts Forever (1984)'
    Portrayed Doctor David Zorba on the ABC TV series 'Ben Casey'
    Portrayed Dr. Mark Tessler in the 1974 TV mini-series 'QB VII'
    Died of cancer in Beverly Hills at age 93

Why he might be annoying:

    His physical appearance did not make him 'leading man material.'
    He quit his job as a Bronx math teacher to become an actor.
    He went 25 years between Broadway appearances (1954-79).
    He portrayed over a dozen doctors in movies and TV.
    He was nominated for an Oscar in 1951 and an Emmy in 1962, losing both times.
    He was a vegetarian.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He graduated with an engineering degree from Columbia University.
    He was married to an opera soprano/actress for 15 years until she died of cancer (1926-41).
    He appeared 21 different times in Broadway plays.
    The producer of 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' so wanted him to portray the Einstein-like professor that he personally persuaded director Darryl F. Zanuck to cast him.
    It was his last role for six years as he became a victim of the '50s Communist hysteria and was blacklisted in Hollywood.
    Among his many famed friends were John Huston, Igor Stravinsky, Edward G. Robinson, Zero Mostel and Ray Bradbury.
    His work as an actor in film, stage and TV spanned 50 years.

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 109 Votes: 53.21% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 74 Votes: 44.59% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 76 Votes: 60.53% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 31 Votes: 45.16% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 47 Votes: 38.30% Annoying