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.
Filmography
Cast Credits
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Character: Self (archive footage)
MOVIE • 1972
Way... Way Out
Character: Russian Delegate
MOVIE • 1966
The Fortune Cookie
Character: Professor Winterhalter
MOVIE • 1966
The Last of the Secret Agents?
Character: Prof. Werner von Koenig
MOVIE • 1966
Doom of Dracula
Character: The Burgomaster (archive footage)
MOVIE • 1966
Hank
Character:
TV • 1965
36 Hours
Character: German Guard
MOVIE • 1964
Daniel Boone
Character: Van Coot
TV • 1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Character: Conductor Schultz
TV • 1964
The Addams Family
Character: Eric Von Bissell
TV • 1964
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Character: Hammacher (uncredited)
MOVIE • 1964
The Danny Kaye Show
Character: Self
TV • 1963
Petticoat Junction
Character: Professor Lieberschmit
TV • 1963
One, Two, Three
Character: Count von Droste Schattenburg (voice) (uncredited)
MOVIE • 1961
The Errand Boy
Character: Baron Elston Carteblanche
MOVIE • 1961
Pete and Gladys
Character:
TV • 1960
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Character:
TV • 1959
Johnny Staccato
Character:
TV • 1959
One Step Beyond
Character: Franz Schuldorf
TV • 1959
Lawman
Character:
TV • 1958