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Zero Mostel: A Biography
Chronicles the life and career of the actor best known for his role on Broadway as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," revealing his talents as a painter and his experiences under McCarthyism
- GenresBiography
334 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1989
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About the author
Jared Brown
24 books2 followersJared A. Brown is Professor Emeritus of Theatre from Western Illinois University and the former Director of the School of Theatre Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University. He earned his BFA from Ithaca College, a MA in Theatre from San Francisco State College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 29, 2015
3.5 stars
During the out of town tryouts for A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, the show was in big trouble. Audiences were not responding in the way the creators hoped. They decided to bring in Jerome Robbins as show doctor to fix the play.
The problem was that both of the shows stars, Zero Mostel and Jack Gilford, had been blacklisted in the 50's for refusing to name names for the House Un-American Activities Committee and suffered greatly. Jerome Robbins had also been called to testify before HUAC but he was a "friendly" witness. Not only had he named names but one of the people he named was Jack Gilford's wife.*
Hal Prince went to Zero and laid it out on the line. The show was failing and Robbins could be the only one who could save it. Would Zero be able to work with Robbins? Knowing how much was at stake, knowing how many people depended on this job, Zero agreed to work with Robbins saying, "We of the left do not blacklist."
I first heard this story over 20 years ago and it has always stayed with me, informing much of my own thoughts on politics and art. I have cause to think about it much of late and this led me to want to know more about Zero Mostel.
Brown has done a fine job writing a biography of one of our great performers. He ably captures the many contradictions and the genius of Mostel. Zero Mostel was not the easiest of men. He was temperamental, arrogant and, at times, a big fucking baby. But he was always fascinating. And like many artists, truth was often a fluid thing for him. Not in terms of his work. There he was dedicated to truth as he saw it. But in his own personal life, stories sometimes changed depending on his audience.
For those who want to know more about Mostel or for those who are interested in the blacklist of the 1950's, this is well worth the read.
* Jack Gilford found it more difficult to make the decision. Robbins had named his wife after all. He was set to leave the production but his wife disagreed.
"Why should you blacklist yourself?" she asked. "And why should all of us who fought against McCarthyism be further penalized?" Gilford remained in the production.
During the out of town tryouts for A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, the show was in big trouble. Audiences were not responding in the way the creators hoped. They decided to bring in Jerome Robbins as show doctor to fix the play.
The problem was that both of the shows stars, Zero Mostel and Jack Gilford, had been blacklisted in the 50's for refusing to name names for the House Un-American Activities Committee and suffered greatly. Jerome Robbins had also been called to testify before HUAC but he was a "friendly" witness. Not only had he named names but one of the people he named was Jack Gilford's wife.*
Hal Prince went to Zero and laid it out on the line. The show was failing and Robbins could be the only one who could save it. Would Zero be able to work with Robbins? Knowing how much was at stake, knowing how many people depended on this job, Zero agreed to work with Robbins saying, "We of the left do not blacklist."
I first heard this story over 20 years ago and it has always stayed with me, informing much of my own thoughts on politics and art. I have cause to think about it much of late and this led me to want to know more about Zero Mostel.
Brown has done a fine job writing a biography of one of our great performers. He ably captures the many contradictions and the genius of Mostel. Zero Mostel was not the easiest of men. He was temperamental, arrogant and, at times, a big fucking baby. But he was always fascinating. And like many artists, truth was often a fluid thing for him. Not in terms of his work. There he was dedicated to truth as he saw it. But in his own personal life, stories sometimes changed depending on his audience.
For those who want to know more about Mostel or for those who are interested in the blacklist of the 1950's, this is well worth the read.
* Jack Gilford found it more difficult to make the decision. Robbins had named his wife after all. He was set to leave the production but his wife disagreed.
"Why should you blacklist yourself?" she asked. "And why should all of us who fought against McCarthyism be further penalized?" Gilford remained in the production.
December 21, 2013
Zero was a great guy... met him when I was 5... he was friend of my mom from WPA... JB does a fine job here... only regret is less here about his sons... Many thanks! Neal H. Hurwitz, NY NY son of Ethel Kaplan Hurwitz (1912-1985), Brooklyn NY and Margate FL and ISR
any one wanna talk more about Sammy (Zero) Mostel, call me pls... 212-222-9112
any one wanna talk more about Sammy (Zero) Mostel, call me pls... 212-222-9112
August 26, 2012
I very good biography.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews