Benjamin Tatar | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1930-01-23)January 23, 1930 |
| Died | November 29, 2012(2012-11-29) (aged 82) |
Benjamin Tatar (January 23, 1930 – November 29, 2012) was an American film, television, theater, and voice actor who wasJackie Gleason's aide and had lived withAva Gardner.[1]
Tatar was born on January 23, 1930, inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania to a Jewish-American family.[1] His interest in acting and entertainment began as a student atSchenley High School in Pittsburgh; he also began acting at thePittsburgh Playhouse and the YM and WHA as a high school student.[1] Tatar enlisted in theUnited States Army during theKorean War.[1] After his discharge from the Army, he enrolled in theUniversity of Pittsburgh where he received abachelor's degree in drama and English.[1] He also worked part-time at the Original Hot Dog Shop in East Liberty, which was owned by his uncle.
Following college, Tatar won a scholarship in 1955 to attend an acting-affiliate of theAmerican Theatre Wing in New York City.[1] The other scholarship student at that time wasJames Earl Jones. The prestige of the school and Ben's solid acting talent won him excellent working relationships with influential theatre folk, and his Pittsburgh connections, including directorHenry Weinstein, brought him the social company ofMarilyn Monroe andArthur Miller.
Tatar began his television career behind the scenes, first as acue card holder for such shows asThe Kate Smith Show andThe Jimmie Rodgers Show.[1] He also read and answered mail sent by fans to those shows and toThe Honeymooners, starringJackie Gleason. Working with Jackie Gleason as his personal assistant provided Ben with a working journey to Paris, traveling aboard theSS United States, to make the movieGigot, directed byGene Kelly. His additional film credits includedThe Thin Red Line, which was filmed in location in Spain and released in 1964; the 1965 filmBattle of the Bulge; andThe Wind and the Lion in 1975.[1] He was also inPatton, and worked as director of the English versions and as dialogue coach for films of Vicente Aranda, whose work includedThe Blood-Spattered Bride andThe Exquisite Cadaver, during which he got to know actressCapucine and became companion to actress Judy Matheson.Tatar also worked withTelly Savalas.
Tatar worked in Spain throughout the 1960s and 1970s, where he became a languagevoice dubbing director andvoice-over artist for television and film production companies based in the Spain. His fluency in five languages – English, French, German, Italian and Spanish – aided him in the profession.[1]
He did many advertising commercials, including aFockink commercial for Fockink dry gin.
In 1981, Tatar moved back from New York City to his native Pittsburgh to care for his mother.[1] He settled in Pittsburgh'sHighland Park neighborhood, where he resided for more than thirty years.[1] Away from the acting hubs in New York and Los Angeles, Tatar turned his professional attention to local theater, as well as film and television productions filmed on-location in the Pittsburgh area.[1]
Tatar's return to Pittsburgh benefited Pittsburgh cultural endeavors: he did much acting and directing and also voice-overs. He was a member of the JCC Theatre Club for many years. His later work included productions at thePittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre and for theJewish Theatre of Pittsburgh. He also appeared in numerous low-budget horror films produced in Pittsburgh.
In 1995, Tatar appeared in theHallmark Hall of Fame television movie,The Piano Lesson, which was written by playwright,August Wilson, another Pittsburgh native.[1]
Tatar authored an unpublished autobiography titled,The Dream Never Dies, in which he wrote of his early career, his work with leading actors on various films, his relationship with Ava Gardner and his voice-over career in Spain. In addition to acting, Tatar createdword searches and compiledcrossword puzzles for the publishing firmDell Publishing.[1]
Tatar died fromchronic pulmonary disease atUPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 29, 2012, at the age of 82.[1] Tatar, who never married, was buried at B'nai Israel Cemetery.[1]
1995The Piano Lesson – as the watermelon man
1993The Cemetery Club – man
1990Two Evil Eyes – actor
1975The Wind and the Lion – sketch artist
1972Pancho Villa – as Private Bates
1969Land Raiders – as Loomis
1967Bang, Bang Kid – as Leech
1966Battle of the Bulge – actor
1965Crack in the World – as Indian Ambassador
1964The Thin Red Line – actor
Piano Lesson (1995) – actor
Bride in Black (1991) – actor