Sam Wanamaker on AllMovie

Born Samuel Watenmaker, he trained for the stage at Chicago's Goodman Theater and made his professional debut at age 17; he performed often in stock, on the road and on Broadway. After serving in World War Two, he debuted onscreen in My Girl Tisa (1948). Having some Leftist political associations, he feared blacklisting and investigation by the House Un-American Activities Committee, so he moved to England in 1949. He appeared in two British films before being blacklisted, then went nine years with only one film appearance. Meanwhile, he became very active on the British stage, acting, producing, and directing. Since the early '60s he has been sporadically busy onscreen; between 1969-79 he directed five films. He was the father of actress Zoe Wanamaker.