Sig Ruman
Known For
Acting
Born
1884-10-10 in Hamburg, Germany
Died
1967-02-14
Biography
Sig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his portrayals of pompous and often stereotypical Teutonic officials or villains. Ruman made his film debut in Lucky Boy (1929). He became a favorite of the Marx Brothers, appearing in A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, and A Night in Casablanca. His German accent and large stature kept him busy during World War II, playing sinister Nazi characters in a series of wartime thrillers. During this period, he also appeared in several films by director Ernst Lubitsch including Ninotchka and To Be or Not to Be. Ruman continued playing over-the-top German characters later in his career for Billy Wilder in The Emperor Waltz, Stalag 17, and The Fortune Cookie.
Most Known For
Maverick
Maverick
as Capt. Steeger
The Addams Family
as Eric Von Bissell
Daniel Boone
as Van Coot
Petticoat Junction
as Professor Lieberschmit
One Step Beyond
as Franz Schuldorf
Lawman
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
as Self
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
as Conductor Schultz
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
as Himelmayer
The Danny Kaye Show
as Self
Ninotchka
as Comrade Iranoff
Government Girl
as Ambassador
Private Secretary
Berlin Correspondent
as Dr. Dietrich
China Girl
as Jarubi
Pete and Gladys
Johnny Staccato
Houdini
as Schultz
White Christmas
as Landlord (uncredited)