Joe Mantell

Joe Mantell (né Joseph Mantel; December 21, 1915 – September 29, 2010) was an American film and television actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as best friend Angie in the 1955 film Marty,[3] which he reprised from the original live teleplay with the same creative team. The teleplay was a surprise hit and the film won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Not to be confused with Joe Mantello.
Joe Mantell
Mantell in Port of New York, 1949
Born
Joseph Mantel

(1915-12-21)December 21, 1915
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 29, 2010(2010-09-29) (aged 94)
Tarzana, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1949–1990
SpouseMary Mantell (?-2010) (his death)[1]
Children3[2]

Early life

Joseph Mantel was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City to Jewish immigrant parents from the Kingdom of Galicia, a region in Eastern Europe controlled by the Emperor of Austria.[1] His father was a butcher, the family name originally was spelled Mantel and accented on the first syllable, but at the beginning of his acting career, Mantell added the extra "L" and changed the pronunciation to "Man-TELL".

He served in the army during the World War II.[4]

Career

Early in his career, Mantell worked on Paddy Chayefsky teleplays directed by Delbert Mann for The Philco Television Playhouse, including the titular character of The Bachelor Party. He also appeared in the anti-censorship episode "Storm Center" of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, as well as the 1956 film adaptation by Daniel Taradash.

Mantell was featured in the pilot of the crime drama, The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack that originally aired as a 2 part episode of the WDP. He later guest-starred in The Untouchables series itself, in the 2 part episode, "The Unhired Assassin", where he played Giuseppe Zangara, the would-be assassin of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who ended up accidentally assassinating Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak instead.

In the 1974 film Chinatown, Mantell played Lawrence Walsh, associate of private eye Jake Gittes. He delivered the film's famous last line, "Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown." The character of Walsh reappeared in The Two Jakes. He had a small, pivotal role in the gas station scene of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963).[5]

Mantell appeared frequently in series television, including two episodes each of The Twilight Zone: "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" (in a starring role) and "Steel" (co-starring with Lee Marvin); The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Ironside, and Maude. Mantell also appeared as a betrayed husband in the "Guilty Witness" episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

He had a recurring role from 1961 to 1962 as Ernie Briggs in six episodes of the CBS sitcom, Pete and Gladys, starring Harry Morgan and Cara Williams. Mantell also starred in season one, episode five ("Far from the Brave") of the TV series Combat! and in a 1963 episode of the sitcom Don't Call Me Charlie!. From 1967 to 1969 Mantell appeared five times on Mannix, four of which were in his recurring role of private detective Albie Loos.

Personal life

He and his wife, Mary, had two daughters and a son.

He retired from acting in 1990 and on September 29, 2010, died in Tarzana, California, at the age of 94.[6][7]

Filmography
Joe Mantell holds a gun on Orson Bean, Theodore Bikel and Polly Bergen in
"San Francisco Fracas", an episode of
The Elgin Hour (1955)
Year Title Role Notes
1949The Undercover ManNewsboyUncredited
1949Barbary PirateDexter Freeman
1949Port of New YorkMessengerUncredited
1949And Baby Makes ThreeNewsboyuncredited
1955Alfred Hitchcock PresentsStanley CraneSeason 1 Episode 11: "Guilty Witness"
1955MartyAngie
1956Storm CenterGeorge Slater
1957Alfred Hitchcock PresentsHarry BrownSeason 2 Episode 37: "The Indestructible Mr. Weems"
1957Beau JamesBernie Williams, Broadway Producer
1957The Sad SackPvt. Stan Wenaslawsky
1958OnionheadHarry 'Doc' O'Neal
1960The Crowded SkyLouis Capelli
1960Nervous Man in a Four Dollar RoomJackie / JohnEpisode: "The Twilight Zone"
1963SteelPoleEpisode: "The Twilight Zone"
1963The BirdsTraveling Salesman at Diner's Bar
1966Mister Buddwingfirst Cab Driver
1970Kelly's HeroesGeneral's AideUncredited
1974ChinatownLawrence Walsh
1984Blame It on the NightAttorney
1985Movers & ShakersLarry
1990The Two JakesLawrence Walsh(final film role)

References
  1. Weber, Bruce (October 1, 2010). "Joe Mantell is Dead at 94; Played Sidekick in 'Marty'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021.
  2. "Joe Mantell dies at 94; actor received Oscar nomination for role in 'Marty'". Los Angeles Times. 2010-10-02.
  3. Osborne, Robert (1994). 65 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards. London: Abbeville Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-5585-9715-0.
  4. "Joe Mantell obituary". TheGuardian.com. 12 October 2010.
  5. "Joe Mantell filmography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. November 3, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
  6. Coyle, Jake. "Actor Joe Mantell of 'Marty', 'Chinatown' dies at 94". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2010-10-03. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  7. "Chinatown actor Joe Mantell dies aged 94". BBC News. September 30, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
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