Ludwig Donath
Bonanza: Season 4, Episode 124.
Bonanza: Season 4, Episode 124.
Ludwig Donath played a Jewish peddler, Aaron Kaufman, in The Way of Aaron.
I was curious about him because, I am Jewish, and he plays the religious father of Rebecca Kaufman.
They pull off the road to mark the Sabbath. I thought the episode was done very well.
I was curious about him because, I am Jewish, and he plays the religious father of Rebecca Kaufman.
They pull off the road to mark the Sabbath. I thought the episode was done very well.
Aaron & Rebecca on Bonanza
Donath was born on March 6, 1900 in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. He was a stage actor in
Austria and Berlin, Germany. He attended the Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in Vienna.
When Hitler came to power in 1933, Donath returned to Vienna and continued acting until the Anschluss
in Austria in 1938. He fled to Switzerland and England before coming to America where he continued
his acting career. He starred in many films including: Gilda 1946; The Great Caruso 1951; and
Torn Curtain (with Paul Newman) 1966. Donath is most remembered for his portrayal of Papa Yoelson
in the two biopics The Jolson Story (1946) and Jolson Sings Again (1949).
Austria and Berlin, Germany. He attended the Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in Vienna.
When Hitler came to power in 1933, Donath returned to Vienna and continued acting until the Anschluss
in Austria in 1938. He fled to Switzerland and England before coming to America where he continued
his acting career. He starred in many films including: Gilda 1946; The Great Caruso 1951; and
Torn Curtain (with Paul Newman) 1966. Donath is most remembered for his portrayal of Papa Yoelson
in the two biopics The Jolson Story (1946) and Jolson Sings Again (1949).
Donath & Paul Newman in Torn Curtain
Donath was black-listed for a short time in the 1950’s for “alleged” Communist-friendly
activities by Joe McCarthy and his Committee on Un-American Activities. But by 1953 he was again
offered roles in films, such as, Abie’s Irish Rose (1954); and The Sea Gull (1956).
In the 50s and 60s he was offered many roles on television. In 1963, he starred in an episode of
Twilight Zone called He’s Alive. Art imitates life, as this was a tale of the return of fascism in America.
activities by Joe McCarthy and his Committee on Un-American Activities. But by 1953 he was again
offered roles in films, such as, Abie’s Irish Rose (1954); and The Sea Gull (1956).
In the 50s and 60s he was offered many roles on television. In 1963, he starred in an episode of
Twilight Zone called He’s Alive. Art imitates life, as this was a tale of the return of fascism in America.
Dennis Hopper and Ludwig Donath in He’s Alive
He died of leukemia on Sept. 2, 1967 in New York City.
In 1956
Sources:
IMDb
New York Times.com
Wikipedia
