Biography of lionel stander

American actor (1908–1994)

Lionel Jay Stander (January 11, 1908 – November 30, 1994) was an American actor, activist, and a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild. He had an extensive career in theatre, film, radio, and television that spanned nearly 70 years, from 1928 until 1994. He was known for his distinctive raspy voice and tough-guy demeanor, as well as for his vocal left-wing political stances. One of the first Hollywood actors to be subpoenaed before the House Un-American Activities Committee, he was blacklisted from the late 1940s until the mid-1960s.

Following his experience with the Hollywood Blacklist, Stander moved to Europe, where he appeared in many genre films, including several Spaghetti Westerns. He returned to the United States later in the decade, playing the role of the majordomo Max on the 1980s mystery television series Hart to Hart, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.

Early life

Stander was born in The Bronx, New York City on 11 January 1908, to parents of Russian Jewish extraction.

During his on

Lionel Stander

Lionel Stander was an American actor.

Biography[]

Born in The Bronx, New York, he appeared in such stage plays as Him and The House Beautiful before receiving his first credited film role in 1932's In the Dough. He went on to appear in a number of films including Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Meet Nero Wolfe and A Star is Born.

Stander was also a prolific radio actor, lending his voice to The Mayor in the Town, and The Life of Riley, additionally providing voices for the Woody Woodpecker shorts and Kup in The Transformers Movie.

Stander passed away in 1994.

Singing[]

Stander sang several times onstage, appearing as Ludlow Lowell in Pal Joey and originating the role of Sgt. Murdoch in The Conquering Hero.

Stage[]

Pal Joey (1952)[]

• Plant You Now, Dig You Later (contains solo lines)
• Do It the Hard Way (contains solo lines)

The Conquering Hero (1961)(originated the role)[]

• Five Shots of Whiskey (contains solo lines)
• Truth
• One Mother Each (contains solo lines)
• Must Be Given to You (reprise)
• Hail, the Conquering Hero! (reprise)
• Only Rainbows (reprise)

Finian's Rainbow (1963)[]

Gallery[]

Full name, Lionel Jay Stander; born January 11, 1908, in New York, NY; died of lung cancer, November 30, 1994, in Brentwood, CA. Actor and producer. Lionel Stander was a veteran of the Broadway stage and the Hollywood screen. He isperhaps best remembered, however, for his television role as Max the chauffeur in the 1979-84 series Hart to Hart, starring Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers. Stander reprised the role in a number of recent Hart to Hart specials.The actor, known for his gravel-like delivery, made his professional stage debut in a production of Him by e. e. cummings. He turned to Hollywood in the1930s after making a reputation on radio, and played character roles oppositesuch actors as Harold Lloyd, Gary Cooper, and Rudy Vallee. In 1937 he portrayed both press agent Casey Burke in the original A Star Is Born, and Curly inThe Last Gangster. Stander, a committed liberal activist, was active in founding the Screen Actors Guild. In 1953, he was called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. When Stander refused to deny on oaththat he was a Communist, he was blacklisted by the industry. He relocated toItaly for many years, but returned to the screen in 1965, in The Loved Ones.He also appeared in Cul de Sac (1966), New York, New York (1977), and 1941 (1979).

Gender

Male

Occupation

actor, producer, newspaper reporter

Birth Details

January 11, 1908

New York, New York, United States

Death Details

November 30, 1994

Brentwood, California, United States

Further Reference

Periodicals:

• Chicago Tribune, December 2, 1994, sec. 8, p. 14.
• Los Angeles Times, December 2, 1994, p. A37.
• Times (London), December 6, 1994, p. 23.
• Washington Post, December 2, 1994, p. B7.