Zero Mostel
Known for: Acting
Samuel Joel “Zero” Mostel (February 28, 1915 – September 8, 1977) was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of comic characters such as Tevye onstage in Fiddler on the Roof, Pseudolus onstage and onscreen in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Max Bialystock in the original film version of The Producers. He was blacklisted during the 1950s, and his testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities was well-publicized. He was a Tony Award and Obie Award winner.
Filmography
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee
1956
Series
Tony Awards
Self - Presenter
1956
Series
Tony Awards
Self - Performer
1956
Series
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Series
The Dick Cavett Show
Self - Guest
1968
Series
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self
1968
Series
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self (uncredited)
1968
Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Series
The Muppet Show
Self - Special Guest Star
1976
Series
The Electric Company
Spell Binder (voice)
1971
Series
The Flip Wilson Show
Self
1970
Film
The Producers
Max Bialystock
1968
Film
Watership Down
Kehaar (voice)
1978
Film
Sirocco
Balukjiaan
1951
Film
The Hot Rock
Abe Greenberg
1972
Film
The Front
Hecky Brown
1976
Film
The Enforcer
'Big Babe' Lazich
1951
Film
Muppet Treasures
Self
1985
Film
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards
Pseudolus ("A Funny Thing Happened on the ...") (arch. foot.)
2005
Film
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Pseudolus
1966
Film
The Great Bank Robbery
Rev. Pious Blue
1969
Film
Carol + 2
Self
1966
Film
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Self (archive footage)
2013
Film
Du Barry Was a Lady
Rami / Taliostra
1943
Film
Panic in the Streets
Raymond Fitch
1950
Film
Rhinoceros
John
1974
Film
Remembering Gene Wilder
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell
Emmett
1951
Film
Fore Play
President / Don Pasquale
1975
Film
Broadway's Lost Treasures
Tevye (segment "Fiddler On The Roof")
2003
Film
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
Self (archive footage)
1986
Film
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Max Bialystock (archive footage) (uncredited)
2007
Film
The Model and the Marriage Broker
George Wixted
1951
Film
Journey into Fear
Kopelkin
1975
Film
Red, White, and Zero
1968
Film
The Little Drummer Boy: Book II
Brutus (voice)
1976
Film
The World of Sholom Aleichem
Melamed / Maxel
1959
Film
Great Catherine
Potemkin
1968
Film
Ride of the Valkyrie
1977
Film
Mel Brooks: Unwrapped
Self (archive footage)
2018
Film
Waiting for Godot
Estragon / Gogo
1961
Film
Once Upon a Scoundrel
Carlos del Refugio
1974
Film
Marco
Kublai Khan
1973
Film
The Angel Levine
Morris Mishkin
1970
Film
The Guy Who Came Back
Boots Mullins
1951
Film
Old Faithful
Ranger Zeppel
1973
Film
Mastermind
Inspector Hoku Ichihara
1976
Film
Saga of Sonora
Heavy Harry
1973
Film
Best Boy
Self
1979