Sam Wanamaker | |
|---|---|
 Wanamaker in 1961 | |
| Born | Samuel Wattenmacker June 14, 1919 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 18, 1993 (aged 74) London, England |
| Education | Goodman School of Drama Art Institute of Chicago Drake University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1934–1993 |
| Spouse |
Charlotte Holland (m. 1940) |
| Children | 3, including Zoë |
| Relatives | Marc Wanamaker (nephew) |
Samuel Wanamaker, CBE, (born Samuel Wattenmacker; June 14, 1919 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor and director, whose career on stage and in film and television spanned five decades. He began his career on Broadway, but spent most of his professional life in the United Kingdom, where he emigrated after becoming fearful of being blacklisted in Hollywood due to his communist views in the 1950's.
Wanamaker became extensively involved in British theater, while continuing film and television work, eventually returning to some Hollywood productions while remaining based in the UK. There, he is also credited as the person most responsible for saving The Rose theatre, which led to the modern recreation of Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London, where he is commemorated in the name of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the site's second theatre. He was awarded an honorary knighthood for his work.
Wanamaker was the father of actress Zoë Wanamaker, and the uncle of film historian Marc Wanamaker.