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.[1] His diminutive stature (5'4"), high nasal voice, mannerisms and appearance, made him a natural for comedy.[citation needed]
Menasha Skulnik and his parents and sisters
Skulnik knew exactly what he was in comedy: "I play a schlemiel, a dope. Sometimes they call me the Yiddish Charlie Chaplin, 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."[2] Skulnik was dubbed the "East Side's Chaplin" by the New York Evening Journal in 1935.[2]
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.[3] He is buried in the Yiddish theater section of the Mount Hebron Cemetery.[1]
^ abWhitman, Alden (June 5, 1970). "Menasha Skulnik, Yiddish Star And a Broadway Success, Dies - Sad-Eyed Comic Actor, 78, Acclaimed in 'Fifth Season' After Years on 2d Ave". New York Times. p. 35. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
menasha, skulnik, yiddish, מנשה, סקולניק, 1890, june, 1970, american, actor, primarily, known, roles, yiddish, theater, york, city, skulnik, also, popular, radio, playing, uncle, david, goldbergs, years, made, many, television, broadway, appearances, well, inc. Menasha Skulnik Yiddish 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 s The Zulu and the Zayda Menasha Skulnik Yiddish theatre actor Contents 1 Life and career 2 Stage 3 Radio 4 Television 5 References 6 External linksLife and career editBorn 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 1 His diminutive stature 5 4 high nasal voice mannerisms and appearance made him a natural for comedy citation needed nbsp Menasha Skulnik and his parents and sistersSkulnik knew exactly what he was in comedy I play a schlemiel a dope Sometimes they call me the Yiddish Charlie Chaplin 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 2 Skulnik was dubbed the East Side s Chaplin by the New York Evening Journal in 1935 2 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 3 He is buried in the Yiddish theater section of the Mount Hebron Cemetery 1 Stage editIn 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 1965 Chu Chem 1966 Radio editAbie s Irish Rose The GoldbergsTelevision editMenasha the Magnificent 1950 References edit a b Whitman Alden June 5 1970 Menasha Skulnik Yiddish Star And a Broadway Success Dies Sad Eyed Comic Actor 78 Acclaimed in Fifth Season After Years on 2d Ave New York Times p 35 Retrieved 17 April 2016 a b 1 dead link Wilson Dennis July 16 2006 Grandfather s stardom was glimpse into another world Arizona Jewish Post jewishtucson org Archived from the original on August 11 2006 External links editMenasha Skulnik at IMDb Menasha Skulnik at the Internet Broadway Database Skulnik s grandson remembers jewishtucson org Archived from the original on July 26 2011 Menasha Skulnik at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Menasha Skulnik amp oldid 1188427001, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
