Harvey Lembeck
| Harvey Lembeck | |
|---|---|
as "Eric von Zipper"
|
|
| Born |
April 15, 1923 Brooklyn, New York City New York, USA |
| Died | January 5, 1982 (aged 58) Los Angeles, California |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Years active | 1947-1982 |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Dubs (19??-1982; his death; 2 children) |
| Children |
Michael Lembeck Helaine Lembeck |
Harvey Lembeck (April 15, 1923 – January 5, 1982) was an American comedic actor best remembered for his role as Cpl. Rocco Barbella on The Phil Silvers Show (a.k.a. Sgt. Bilko) in the late 1950s, and as the stumbling, overconfident outlaw biker Eric Von Zipper in beach party movies during the 1960s. He also turned in noteworthy performances in both the stage and screen versions of Stalag 17. He was the father of actor/director Michael Lembeck and actress Helaine Lembeck.
Born in Brooklyn, Lembeck started his career right out of New Utrecht High School, as a dancer at the 1939/40 New York World's Fair. He was half of an exhibition dance team known as The Dancing Carrolls. His partner, Caroline Dubs, became his wife.
The son of a Brooklyn button manufacturer, Lembeck yearned for a career as a radio sports announcer. Following his discharge from the United States Army at the end of World War II in 1945, he attended New York University, obtaining a degree in radio arts in 1947. However, he chose the stage as a career upon the advice of one of his instructors, Prof. Robert Emerson, who had seen him perform in college plays.
Lembeck was Jewish.
Two weeks after graduation, Lembeck won the key role of Sam Insigna in Mister Roberts, which he played on Broadway for nearly three years, winning runner-up honors to James Whitmore as New York's best new actor of 1948.
Lembeck made three movies for 20th Century Fox, You're in the Navy Now, Fourteen Hours, and The Frogmen, all released in the first half of 1951. He went back to Broadway as Army Air Forces Sgt. Harry Shapiro (citation needed) in Stalag 17, subsequently playing the same role in the Billy Wilder – directed film version, earning the Theater Owners of America's Laurel Award for outstanding comedy performance and best possibility for stardom. From 1952 to 1954 he also made nine other movies mostly playing military roles.
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