Actor and director Sam Wanamaker was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Molly (Babell) and Maurice Wattenmaker, a tailor. He studied at Drake
University, IA, then trained at Goodman Theatre, Chicago, worked with
summer stock companies in Chicago as an actor and director, and made
his London debut in 1952. In 1957, he was appointed director of the New
Shakespeare Theatre, Liverpool, and in 1959 joined the Shakespeare
Memorial Theatre company at Stratford-upon-Avon. He produced or
directed several works at Covent Garden and elsewhere in the 1960s and
1970s, including the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in 1974. He
worked both as director and actor in films and television, his
appearances included
The Spiral Staircase (1975),
Private Benjamin (1980),
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987),
and
Baby Boom (1987).
Married to
Charlotte Holland, his daughter is actress
Zoë Wanamaker.
Columbo: Grand Deceptions(1989)
The Killing of Randy Webster(1981)
My Kidnapper, My Love(1980)
Mrs. Columbo(1979)
Hart to Hart(1979)
Wild Justice(1993)as Kingston Parker
Bloodlines: Murder in the Family(1993)as Gerald Woodman
Killer Rules(1993)as Gambon
City of Joy(1992)
Pure Luck(1991)as Highsmith
ITV Television Playhouse(1955)
Aida(1984)
War and Peace(1973)
Wogan(1982)as Self
Jameson Tonight(1990)as Self (1990)
Grace Kelly: The American Princess(1987)as Self
All the World's a Stage(1984)as Self
The Fifth Facade: The Making of the Sydney Opera House(1973)as Self - Narrator
Falcon Crest(1981)as Simon Berrenger
Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter(1982)as Actor - 'Private Benjamin'
