People
Photos
Purpose
Advertisement
Advertisement
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. S
  5. Sakai - Sakanskaja
  6. Safhos - Salaveius
  7. Sakall
  8. S. Z. Sakall
A photo of S. Z. Sakall

S. Z. Sakall 1883 - 1955

S. Z. Sakall of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States was born on February 2, 1883 at Budapest, Hungary, and died at age 72 years old on February 12, 1955 at Hollywood in Los Angeles. S. Sakall was buried on February 14, 1955 at Forest Lawn 1712 S Glendale Ave, in Glendale.

S. Z. Sakall
Szöke Szakall - Name at birth only and also on Grave Stone.
Name
Update name details
Hollywood in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States
Last residence
Update residence details
February 2, 1883
Budapest, Hungary
Birth
Update birth details
February 12, 1955
Hollywood in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States
Death
Update death details
Male
Looking for someone else
Updated: May 29, 2024
Biography ID: 192919953 What's this
S. Z. Sakall S. Sakall (1883 - 1955)
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers S..
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

S. Z. Sakall's History: 1883 - 1955

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.
- Discover how AncientFaces works.

  • Introduction

    Overview Born February 2, 1883 · Budapest, Austria-Hungary Died February 12, 1955 · Los Angeles, California, USA (heart attack) Birth name Gerö Jenö Nickname Cuddles Mini Bio Hungarian-born S.Z. Sakall was a veteran of German, Hungarian, and British films when he left Europe because of the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi movement. In Hollywood from shortly after the outbreak of World War II, Sakall began appearing in comedies and musicals, often playing a lovable if somewhat excitable and/or befuddled uncle, businessman or neighborhood eccentric. Memorable as the waiter in Casablanca (1942) and as a somewhat lecherous Broadway producer in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942). He retired from films in 1954 and died of a heart attack in Hollywood in 1955. Family Spouses Elisabeth Anna "Boszi" Kardos(August 1, 1920 - February 12, 1955) (his death) Giza Grossner (1916 - 1918) (her death) Trademarks Often plays men who are easily excited or befuddled but lovable. Often cast as a sympathetic friend or employee of the main character. Trivia Because of his befuddled amiability on-screen, his trademark jowls, and comical exasperation, he was nicknamed "Cuddles" and was often billed that way. He did not like "American" food, so when he was working on a movie, he had his wife cook food from the old country and bring him lunch or dinner. All three of his sisters perished in Nazi concentration camps. The initials preceding his name are from the Hungarian for Szoke Szakall, meaning 'blonde beard', so called because he wore one as a young actor to look older. He originally turned down his waiter's role in Casablanca (1942), the part that initially made him famous.
  • 02/2
    1883

    Birthday

    February 2, 1883
    Birthdate
    Budapest, Hungary
    Birthplace
    ADVERTISEMENT BY

  • Early Life & Education

    rk in Glendale, California. Partial filmography Complete credits from 1940 on. Az újszülött apa (1916) A dollárnéni (1917) Professor Imhof (1926) as Dr. Hecht The Master of Death (1926) as Bordoni Hello Caesar! (1927, written) Heaven on Earth (1927) as Geschäftsführer Family Gathering in the House of Prellstein (1927) as Sami Bambus Da hält die Welt den Atem an (1928) as Theaterdirektor Mary Lou (1928) as Der Jongleur Whirl of Youth (1928) as Sam, ein Artist Pavement Butterfly (1929) as Paul Bennet – Maler The Merry Farmer (1927) as Dorfpolizist Why Cry at Parting? (1929) as Gottgetreu, Kassierer von Harder & Co. Two Hearts in Waltz Time, originally titled Zwei Herzen im 3/4 Takt or Zwei Herzen im Dreiviertel Takt (1930) as Der Theaterdirektor Twice Married (1930) as Grafenberg's brother-in-law Rendezvous (1930) as Crepin Susanne Cleans Up (1930) as Dr. Fuchs, juristischer Berater The Jumping Jack (1930) as Eickmeyer – Parfümfabrikant Her Majesty the Barmaid (1931) as Bela Török / Lias Vater Headfirst into Happiness (1931) as Baron Monteuil Die Faschingsfee (1931) as Matthias, Diener Ihr Junge (1931) Walzerparadies (1931) as Schwartz, Theateragent Ich heirate meinen Mann (1931) as Adolphe Der Stumme von Portici (1931) as Ehemann The Squeaker (1931) as Bill "Billy" Anerley My Cousin from Warsaw (1931) as Burel, Lucienne's spouse The Woman They Talk About (1931) as Salewski Moretti The Soaring Maiden (1931) as Onkel Lampe The Unknown Guest (1931) as Leopold Kuhlmann Girls to Marry (1932) as Alois Novak Melody of Love (1932) as Bernhard I Do Not Want to Know Who You Are (1932) as Ottokar Countess Mariza (1932) as Lampe Overnight Sensation (1932) as Haase Tokajerglut (1933) as Schmidt, Pressephotograph A City Upside Down (1933) as Der Bürgermeister The Emperor's Waltz (1933) as Leitner – Fabrikant aus Budapest A Woman Like You (1933) as Theobald Roehn, Fabrikant Es war einmal ein Musikus (1933) as Häberlein Must We Get Divorced? (1933) as Professor Friedrich Hornung Grand Duchess Alexandra (1933) as Dimitri, Chefkoch im Hause der Großfürstin Romance in Budapest (1933) as Strangel úr, Murray menedzsere Adventures on the Lido (1933) as Michael Scandal in Budapest (1933) as Stangl Voices of Spring (1933) as Krüger, Schuldiener Stolen Wednesday (1933) as Schmidz, fotóriporter Wenn du jung bist, gehört dir die Welt (1934) as Beppo Everything for the Woman (1934) Helyet az öregeknek [hu] (1934) as Polgár papírkereskedõ Ende schlecht, alles gut [de] (1934) as Anton Polgar, Stationery Shop Owner Bretter, die die Welt bedeuten (1935) as Franz Novak Viereinhalb Musketiere (1935) as Sattler, drummer Tagebuch der Geliebten (1935) as Dr. Walitzky Il diario di una donna amata (1935) Barátságos arcot kérek (1936) as Blazsek Mátyás fényképész Fräulein Lilli (1936) as Prokurist Seidl The Lilac Domino (1937) as Sandor Bubi (1937) as Moller It's a Date (1940) as Karl Ober Florian (1940) as Max My Love Came Back (1940) as Geza Peyer Spring Parade (1940) as Latislav Teschek – the Baker The Man Who Lost Himself (1941) as Paul The Devil and Miss Jones (1941) as George That Night in Rio (1941) as Penna Ball of Fire (1941) as Prof. Magenbruch Broadway (1942) as Nick Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) as Schwab Seven Sweethearts (1942) as Mr. Van Maaster, the Father Casablanca (1942) as Carl, the waiter Wintertime (1943) as Hjalmar Ostgaard Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) as Dr. Schlenna Shine On, Harvest Moon (1944) as Poppa Carl Hollywood Canteen (1944) as Himself (cameo) Wonder Man (1945) as Schmidt Christmas in Connecticut (1945) as Felix Bassenak The Dolly Sisters (1945) as Uncle Latsie Dolly San Antonio (1945) as Sacha Bozic Cinderella Jones (1946) as Gabriel Popik Two Guys from Milwaukee (1946) as Count Oswald Never Say Goodbye (1946) as Luigi The Time, the Place and the Girl (1946) as Ladislaus Cassel Cynthia (1947) as Professor Rosenkrantz April Showers (1948) as Mr. Curley Romance on the High Seas (1948) as Uncle Lazlo Lazlo Embraceable You (1948) as Sammy Whiplash (1948) as Sam My Dream Is Yours (1949) as Felix Hofer Look for the Silver Lining (1949) as Shendorf In the Good Old Summertime (1949) as Otto Oberkugen Oh, You Beautiful Doll (1949) as Fred Fisher aka Alfred Breitenbach Montana (1950) as Papa Otto Schultz The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady (1950) as Miklos 'Mike' Teretzky Tea for Two (1950) as J. Maxwell Bloomhaus Sugarfoot (1951) as Don Miguel Wormser Lullaby of Broadway (1951) as Adolph Hubbell Painting the Clouds with Sunshine (1951) as Uncle Felix It's a Big Country (1951) as Stefan Szabo Small Town Girl (1953) as Papa Eric Schlemmer The Student Prince (1954) as Joseph Ruder (fin

  • Religious Beliefs

    Jewish.

  • Military Service

    He was discharged out of the Hungarian army in World War I after a Russian bayonet wounded him in the chest.

  • Professional Career

    S. Z. Sakall Born Jakab Grünwald February 2, 1883 Budapest, Hungary) Died February 12, 1955 (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S. Resting place Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale Other names S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall Szőke Szakáll Gerő Jenő Jacob Gerő Jacob Gero Grünwald Jakab Gärtner Sándor Occupation Actor Years active 1916–1954 Spouses Giza Grossner (m. 1916; died 1918)​ Anne Kardos ​(m. 1920)​ - Until he died. She is buried next to him. Szőke Szakáll (born Jakab Grünwald, akas: Gärtner Sándor and Gerő Jenő; February 2, 1883 – February 12, 1955), known in the English-speaking world as S. Z. Sakall, was a Hungarian-American stage and film character actor. He appeared in many films, including Casablanca (1942), in which he played Carl, the head waiter, Christmas in Connecticut (1945), In the Good Old Summertime (1949), and Lullaby of Broadway (1951). Sakall played numerous supporting roles in Hollywood musicals and comedies in the 1940s and 1950s. His rotund cuteness caused studio head Jack Warner to bestow on Sakall the nickname "Cuddles". Early life and career US Naturalization index record of SZ Sakall Gerő Jenő (in English as Jacob Gero) was born in Budapest to a Jewish family. A sculptor's son, he was invalided out of the Hungarian army in World War I after a Russian bayonet wounded him in the chest. During his schooldays, he wrote sketches for Budapest vaudeville shows under the pen name Szőke Szakáll, meaning "blond beard", in reference to his own beard, grown to make him look older, which he affected when, at the age of 18, he turned to acting. In 1946, he became a United States citizen under the name of Jacob Gero (aka Szőke Szakáll). The actor became a star of the Hungarian stage and screen in the 1910s and 1920s. At the beginning of the 1920s he moved to Vienna, where he appeared in Hermann Leopoldi's Kabarett Leopoldi-Wiesenthal. In the 1930s he was, next to Hans Moser, the most significant representative of Wiener Film, the Viennese light romantic comedy genre. He also appeared in Berlin. He appeared in Familientag im Hause Prellstein (1927), Ihre Majestät die Liebe (1929, which was remade in Hollywood as Her Majesty Love, with W.C. Fields in Sakall's role) and Two Hearts in Waltz Time (1930). For a brief period during this time, he ran his own production company. Return to and emigration from Hungary When the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, Sakall was forced to return to Hungary. He was involved in over 40 movies in his native land. When Hungary joined the Axis in 1940, he left for Hollywood with his wife. Many of Sakall's close relatives were later murdered in Nazi concentration camps, including all three of his sisters and a niece, as well as his wife's brother and sister. Hollywood S. Z. Sakall in That Night in Rio (1941) Sakall began a Hollywood career that included "an endless succession of excitable theatrical impresarios, lovable European uncles and befuddled shopkeepers". His first American film role was in the comedy It's a Date (1940) with Deanna Durbin. The first big hit of his American career was Ball of Fire (1941) with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. Later, he signed a contract with Warner Bros., where he had a number of other small roles, including one in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) with James Cagney. Later the same year, at the age of 59, he portrayed his best remembered character, Carl the head waiter in Casablanca (1942). Producer Hal B. Wallis signed Sakall for the role three weeks after filming had begun. When he was first offered the part, Sakall hated it and turned it down. Sakall finally agreed to take the role provided they gave him four weeks of work. The two sides eventually agreed on three weeks. He received $1,750 per week for a total of $5,250. He actually had more screen time than either Peter Lorre or Sydney Greenstreet. Sakall appeared in 30 further movies, including Christmas in Connecticut (1945), reuniting with Barbara Stanwyck. Sakall appeared in four films released in 1948: the drama Embraceable You, followed by April Showers, Michael Curtiz's Romance on the High Seas (Doris Day's film debut), and Whiplash. He was in four top movies in 1949. First Sakall played Felix Hofer in Doris Day's second film, My Dream Is Yours. Later that year, he supported June Haver and Ray Bolger in Look for the Silver Lining. Next, he played Otto Oberkugen in In the Good Old Summertime, with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. This was a remake of Ernst Lubitsch's The Shop Around the Corner (1940). Finally, Sakall was given the principal role of songwriter Fred Fisher in Oh, You Beautiful Doll, though top billing went to June Haver. Sakall appeared in nine more movies during the 1950s, two of them musicals with Doris Day, playing J. Maxwell Bloomhaus in Tea for Two (1950) and Adolph Hubbell in Lullaby of Broadway (1951). His other roles included: Poppa Schultz in the Errol Flynn western Montana (1950); Miklos Teretzky in the June Haver musical The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady (also 1950); Don Miguel in the Randolph Scott western Sugarfoot; Uncle Felix in the musical Painting the Clouds with Sunshine (1951) with Virginia Mayo, and one of the episodes in the movie It's a Big Country (also 1951) featuring Gene Kelly, Van Johnson, Gary Cooper, Janet Leigh, Fredric March and Ethel Barrymore. His last movie was The Student Prince (1954). Death Sakall died of a heart attack in Hollywood on February 12, 1955, shortly after filming The Student Prince, ten days after his 72nd birthday. He is buried in the Garden of Memory in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
  • 02/12
    1955

    Death

    February 12, 1955
    Death date
    Unknown
    Cause of death
    Hollywood in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States
    Death location
    ADVERTISEMENT BY
  • 02/14
    1955

    Gravesite & Burial

    February 14, 1955
    Funeral date
    Forest Lawn 1712 S Glendale Ave, in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California 91205, United States
    Burial location

  • Obituary

    S.Z. “Cuddles” Sakall Original Name Szöke Szakall Birth 2 Feb 1883 Budapest, Budapest, Hungary Death 12 Feb 1955 (aged 72) Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA Burial Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA Show Map GPS-Latitude: 34.1262833, Longitude: -118.2409738 Plot Gardens of Memory (NW), Map #01, Single Garden Crypt 1079 Memorial ID 3719 · View Source Memorial Photos 5 Flowers 517 Hungarian-born stage and motion picture actor of the 1920s thru the 1950s. A longtime Warner Bros. character actor, he was immortalized as 'Carl, the headwaiter' in the all-time classic film drama, "Casablanca" (1942). Bio by: AJ Family Members Spouse Elisabeth Anna Kardos Szakall 1887–1977 (m. 1920) Flowers • 517
    ADVERTISEMENT BY
    Looking for more information?
  • share
    Memories
    below
Advertisement
Advertisement

12 Memories, Stories & Photos about S.

S. Z. Sakall
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
05/29/2024
S. Z. Sakall
Younger man.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall and Wife
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
02/03/2024
S. Z. Sakall and Wife
Becoming American citizens.
Szöke Sakall and Elisabeth Kardos.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall
Character Actor.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall
He played a variety of parts.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall's Gravestone
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall's Gravestone
- SZOKE SZAKALL 1883 - 1955 "MY JANI"
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall and Deanna Durbin.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall and Deanna Durbin.
Publicity Still.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall and Bogart in Casablanca.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall and Bogart in Casablanca.
The Head waiter and Rick.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall and Sonja Henie.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall and Sonja Henie.
Movie Scene.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall in a cowboy movie.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall in a cowboy movie.
He could turn any cowboy movie into a comedy.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
S. Z. Sakall and Janis Paige.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
12/06/2023
S. Z. Sakall and Janis Paige.
Scene from a comedy.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
See more memories
- See how biographies work.
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

S. Sakall's Family Tree & Friends

S. Sakall's Family Tree

Parent
Parent
S. Z. Sakall
S. Z. Sakall Feb 2, 1883 - Feb 12, 1955
Partner
Child
Sibling
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friendships

S.'s Friends

Friends of S. Friends can be as close as family. Add S.'s family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
Advertisement
Advertisement
1 Follower & Sources

Connect with others who remember S Sakall to share and discover more memories. People who have contributed to this page are listed below and in the Biography History of changes. Sign in to to view changes.

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Other Biographies

Other Sakall Family Biographies

Sakall, Joseph (Jan 11, 1892 - Oct 1983) Sakall, Donald (Jul 26, 1944 - Aug 1986) Sakall, Ronald (Aug 18, 1954 - Oct 1980) Sakall, Virginia (Mar 5, 1921 - Jan 11, 1998) Sakall, Juanita (Nov 25, 1953 - Nov 1, 2000) Sakall, Cora (Jun 2, 1919 - Feb 11, 2003) Sakall, Marcia (Jun 7, 1933 - May 4, 2008) Sakall, Esther (Mar 5, 1928 - Feb 3, 2005) Sakall, Serphin (Jan 14, 1921 - Feb 10, 2007)
Sakall, Basil (Dec 28, 1887 - Feb 1974) Sakall, Jerry (Feb 3, 1958 - Mar 20, 1994) Sakall, Ammiel (Nov 16, 1916 - Dec 23, 2010) Sakall, Gloria (Dec 30, 1931 - Jan 1976) Sakall, Joseph (Sep 4, 1924 - Jan 9, 2010) Sakall, Lucille (Sep 20, 1926 - Sep 12, 2009) Sakall, Leone (Dec 8, 1919 - Aug 1982) Sakall, Steven (Sep 16, 1956 - Apr 9, 2000) Sakall, John (Mar 17, 1921 - Nov 25, 2003)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Show more
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. S
  5. Sakai - Sakanskaja
  6. Safhos - Salaveius
  7. Sakall
  8. S. Z. Sakall
Back to Top
Advertisement
Advertisement