Sam Wanamaker | |
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![]() Wanamaker in 1961 | |
Born | Samuel Wattenmacker June 14, 1919 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | December 18, 1993 London, England | (aged 74)
Education | Art Institute of Chicago |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1934–1993 |
Spouse |
Charlotte Holland (m. 1940) |
Children | 3, including Zoë |
Relatives | Marc Wanamaker (nephew) |
Samuel Wanamaker, CBE, (born Wattenmacker; June 14, 1919 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor and director who moved to the United Kingdom after becoming fearful of being blacklisted in Hollywood due to his communist views in the 1950s. He became extensively involved in English theater, while continuing film and television work, eventually returning to some Hollywood productions while remaining based in the UK. There, he is also credited as the person most responsible for saving The Rose theatre, which led to the modern recreation of Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London, where he is commemorated in the name of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the site's second theatre. He was awarded an honorary knighthood for his work.