Character actor Allan Rich, who was blacklisted in Hollywood back in the 1940s, has passed away at the age of 94.
As Variety reported, the ‘Serpico’ star, who added a total of 132 credits to his name as an actor according to IMDb, died on Saturday at New Jersey’s Lillian Booth Actors Home.
Born as Benjamin Norman Schultz in The Bronx in 1926, Rich gained fame after appearing in various stage performances on Broadway.
In the 1940s, the actor’s career suffered a setback as he was blacklisted in Hollywood for joining Theatrical Action Committee dedicated to freeing Willie McGee, a convicted African-American man.
Following his involvement in the case, Rich was dubbed a communist sympathizer and blacklisted in Hollywood, meaning he didn’t have a proper chance at securing a role in the film industry.
After being blacklisted, Rich worked as a stockbroker and an art gallery owner for many years before his return to the entertainment industry in the 60s. During this time, he also married talent manager Elaine Rich.
In the following decades, the actor’s name has become well-known in the acting scene whereas he appeared in dozens of classic movies such as Serpico, Quiz Show, and Amistad.
The movie star also made an appearance in a series of TV shows including Hawaii-Five-0, NYPD Blue, The Rockford Files, CSI, and Judging Amy.
In 2007, Rich also released ‘A Leap from the Method’, a book in which he opened up about his organic approach to acting.
In 2015, five years prior to his death, the actor’s wife-of-62-years passed away. The couple is survived by son David and daughter Marian.
May they rest in peace.
Replaced!