Jennie Moscowitz

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. "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. "Jennie Moscowitz papers". New York Public Library. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  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. "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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