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

(1871-11-23)November 23, 1871
Odessa, Russian Empire
DiedJune 18, 1940(1940-06-18) (aged 68)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery
Years active1899–1940
Spouse(s)Rose Moscovich (b.1872 - d. 1944)
ChildrenAnton Maaskoff, Harry Madison, Noel Madison

Life and career

Maurice Moscovich was born in the former Russian Empire in Odessa. He emigrated to the US 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
1936WintersetEsdras
1937Make Way for TomorrowMax Rubens
1937Lancer SpyGen. Von Meinhardt
1938GatewayGrandpa Hlawek
1938SuezMohammed Ali
1939Love AffairMaurice Cobert
1939Susannah of the MountiesChief Big Eagle
1939In Name OnlyDr. Muller
1939RioOld Convict
1939The Great CommandmentLamech
1939Everything Happens at NightDr. Hugo Norden
1940South to KarangaPaul Stacco
1940The Great DictatorMr. Jaeckel(final film role)

References
  1. Maurice Moscovich at the Internet Broadway Database
  2. Maurice Moscovich at Find a Grave
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