Jennie Moscowitz (1867 or 1868 – July 26, 1953) was an American actress who was known for portraying Jewish mothers[1] and was "equally well known on the English and Yiddish stages".[2]

Early years

Moscowitz was born in Iași, Romania. Her father was a tutor at court, and she attended the Conservatoire de Declamation in Iași, the only Jewish student there at that time.[3] She was the oldest of four children.[4]

Career

Moscowitz debuted on stage in Iași when she was 13 years old, portraying Nanine in a production of Camille,[5] a command performance for Romania's king and queen.[6] It starred Sarah Bernhardt, "who took such a liking to the girl that she guided her professionally for the next five years."[5]

Moscowitz came to the United States as part of a troupe assembled by two Russian impresarios. She acted in supporting roles with the Jewish Art Theatre and learned English while doing so, thus gaining access to English-speaking roles.[5] Her Broadway debut was in The Melting Pot, and her "first notable success on the English-speaking stage" was in The Auctioneer, in which she acted for six seasons.[7] For another six seasons she portrayed Mrs. Potash in Potash and Perlmutter on Broadway and around the United States. She acted two more years in Partners Again, a sequel to Potash and Perlmutter.[7] Moscowitz's other Broadway credits included The Treasure, Partners Again), Kosher Kitty Kelly, The Song Writer, The Wooden Soldier, Excursion, and Counsellor-at-Law.[8]

Explaining her success in the theater, Moscowitz said, "If I tried to act, I wouldn't be worth a nickel to a producer. It's because I behave like myself, like a real Jewish mother -- and that's what I am in private life -- that the people like me."[5] Her sons tried to dissuade her from performing in a revival of the play Counsellor-at-Law, which came during her 60th year on stage. They relented after she told them, "I love it. I want to do it. It's my life."[9]

On radio, Moscowitz starred in the serials The Awakening[10] and My Boy[11] and was active as a dialectician.[7]

Personal life and death

Jennie and Max Moscowitz married in 1888.[1] He operated the Eldorado, the first Jewish variety theater in New York City, and after they married he managed her career for many years.[12] They had two sons[13] and a daughter.[14]

He died in 1947.[1] She died on July 26, 1953, in a home for the aged in the Bronx, New York City, aged 85.[5]

Papers

The Jennie Moscowitz papers are housed at the New York Public Library. The collection includes correspondence, personal papers, and scripts related to her career and her private life.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Max Moscowitz, 88, Ran Variety Houses". The New York Times. January 13, 1947. p. 21. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Tribute to Actress: Jennie Moscowitz Honored for Her 55 Years on Stage". The New York Times. June 28, 1943. p. 15. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Jennie Moscowitz, 85, Yiddish Actress, Dies". Newsday (Nassau Edition). New York, New York City. July 28, 1953. p. 57 S. Retrieved July 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 "Jennie Moscowitz papers". New York Public Library. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jennie Moscowitz, Jewish Actress, 85: Performer Known for Mother Roles Is Dead--Made Her Debut in Rumania at 13". The New York Times. July 27, 1953. p. 19. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Says acting today is too mechanical". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 16, 1933. p. 3 B. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 3 "Fifty-Five Years Ago Today Jennie Moscowitz Made Debut". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 27, 1943. p. 29. Retrieved July 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Jennie Moscowitz". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ "'Ma' Moscowitz Is Trouper 60 Years". The Miami News. The New York Herald Tribune. May 3, 1943. p. 8. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Gross, Ben (December 4, 1938). "Listening In". Daily News. New York, New York City. p. 56. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Gross, Ben (March 24, 1934). "Listening In". Daily News. New York, New York City. p. 30. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Max Moscowitzes Wed 50 Years Ago: Ex-Theatre Manager and Actress to Celebrate Today". The New York Times. December 2, 1938. p. 26. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Max Moscowitzes Feted At Party". Mount Vernon Argus. December 3, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Jennie Moscowitz, Veteran Jewish Actress, Dies At 85". Mount Vernon Argus. July 27, 1953. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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