Sam Levene

About Sam Levene

Who is it?: Actor
Birth Day: August 28, 1905
Resting place: Mount Carmel Cemetery, Glendale, Queens
Years active: 1927–1980
Spouse(s): Constance Kane (1953-?) (divorced) (1 child)
Children: Joseph Levene

Sam Levene

Sam Levene was born on August 28, 1905, is Actor. Sam Levene was the actor who originated "craps-shooter extraordinaire" Nathan Detroit in the seminal American musical "Guys and Dolls" on the Great White Way in the original 1950 production. Levene was not a good singer and had trouble staying in key, so his solo number "Sue Me" had to be written in one octave to compensate for his lack of pipes. Singing great Frank Sinatra played the Nathan Detroit role in the movie version of the musical Guys and Dolls (1955)) after producer Samuel Goldwyn cast non-singer Marlon Brando as Sky Masterston. Many critics noted that Sinatra -- who would not use the character's New York, ethnic accent when singing -- would have been perfect as Sky and rued the lack of "Jewish wry" the Italian-American crooner brought to the role, openly wishing that Levene had been cast as Nathan Detroit to Old Blue Eyes' Masterson. That was not meant to be, although 20 years later he would not be asked to reproduce another of his memorable roles on Broadway.Born in Russia on August 28, 1905, Sam Levene made his Broadway debut in 1927 in the melodrama "Wall Street", two years before "Variety" noted that the fabled temple of capitalism had "laid an egg". Fifty-three years later he appeared in his 32nd and last Broadway show, "Horowitz and Mrs. Washington", a flop that lasted but four performances. Along the way he was nominated for a Tony Award in 1961 as Best Actor in a Play for "The Devil's Advocate." Levene also starred in the original Broadway production of Neil Simon "The Sunshine Boys", playing Al Lewis to Jack Albertson's Willie Clark. However, the role in the 1975 movie (The Sunshine Boys (1975)) originally was earmarked for Jack Benny, who was replaced by his friend George Burns after Benny's death. Burns won an Oscar playing the role, another big one that got away from Levene.Levene made over 45 movies. He was brought to Hollywood to recreate his stage role as -- fittingly -- a gambler in Three Men on a Horse (1936), following it up with the first of two appearances as San Francisco police Lt. Abrams in the "Thin Man" series: After the Thin Man (1936) and Shadow of the Thin Man (1941). His last film role was in the 1979 film ...and justice for all. (1979). The highlight of his movie career arguably are his turns in the hard-boiled film noir classics The Killers (1946), Brute Force (1947) and Crossfire (1947). He also appeared in one of the ultimate New York movies, the classic Sweet Smell of Success (1957).Sam Levene died of a heart attack on December 28, 1980. He was 75 years old.
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Does Sam Levene Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Sam Levene has been died on December 28, 1980(1980-12-28) (aged 75)\nNew York City, New York, U.S..

🎂 Sam Levene - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

When Sam Levene die, Sam Levene was 75 years old.

Popular As Sam Levene
Occupation Actor
Age 75 years old
Zodiac Sign Virgo
Born August 28, 1905 ()
Birthday August 28
Town/City
Nationality

🌙 Zodiac

Sam Levene’s zodiac sign is Virgo. According to astrologers, Virgos are always paying attention to the smallest details and their deep sense of humanity makes them one of the most careful signs of the zodiac. Their methodical approach to life ensures that nothing is left to chance, and although they are often tender, their heart might be closed for the outer world. This is a sign often misunderstood, not because they lack the ability to express, but because they won’t accept their feelings as valid, true, or even relevant when opposed to reason. The symbolism behind the name speaks well of their nature, born with a feeling they are experiencing everything for the first time.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Sam Levene was born in the Year of the Snake. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Snake are seductive, gregarious, introverted, generous, charming, good with money, analytical, insecure, jealous, slightly dangerous, smart, they rely on gut feelings, are hard-working and intelligent. Compatible with Rooster or Ox.

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Biography/Timeline

1932

Levene also starred in the Broadway productions Dinner at Eight (1932), Room Service (1937), Light Up the Sky (1948), Heartbreak House (1959), The Impossible Years (1965), and Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys (1972), among many others. Although not known as a singer, he can be heard in the role of Nathan Detroit on the original cast recording of the musical Guys and Dolls, in which he appeared on Broadway. His solo number, "Sue Me," was written in one octave to compensate for his lack of vocal range. He lost the role to Frank Sinatra in the film version. Levene was nominated for the 1961 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for The Devil's Advocate (1961). Levene never got a Tony award; by the time the Tony's were established in 1947, Levene had already appeared in 16 original Broadway shows, including his roles in the original Broadway productions of Room Service, Three Men On A Horse, Dinner At Eight and Margin For Error. 43 years after making his Broadway debut, Levene made his Off-Broadway debut, starring in Irv Bauer's A Dream Out Of Time at the Promenande Theatre, his only Off-Broadway appearance.

1936

In the mid-'30s, Levene moved to Hollywood to re-create his stage role in the film Three Men on a Horse (1936). This was followed by roles as police lieutenants in After the Thin Man (1936), The Mad Miss Manton (1938) and Shadow of the Thin Man (1941). He played a small but vital role in the 1939 film classic Golden Boy as william Holden's taxi-driving brother-in-law "Siggie", a Doolittle Flyer and Japanese POW in The Purple Heart (1944), and many film noir classics, such as The Killers (1946), Brute Force (1947) and Crossfire (1947). Levene made 49 films total during his Hollywood career. His final film role was in the courtroom drama ...And Justice for All (1979).

1980

In December 1980, he died of a heart attack in New York City.

1984

In 1984, Levene was posthumously inducted in the Theatre Hall of Fame; his son, Joseph K. Levene, accepted the award stating "if my Dad were here today; he would want to know one thing: why did it take you guys such a long time to give me this award?"

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