Ben-Ami, Jacob

Jacob Ben-Ami was a twentieth century actor and director and prominent figure in American Yiddish theater. Ben-Ami was born on November 23, 1890, in Minsk, then a part of the Russian Empire. Before immigrating to the United States, he performed with Yiddish theater troupes throughout Russia and in London.

In the United States, he worked with prominent figures on the Yiddish theater scene, including at Maurice Schwartz's Irving Place Theatre. He was a leading figure in the founding of the Jewish Art Theatre (1919-1920). This small company, and many others that he was involved with, attempted to add artistic sensibilities to a Yiddish theater scene focused on providing popular entertainment. In the 1940s to 1960s, Ben-Ami was involved in television and cinematic productions as well. Ben-Ami also performed in English-language productions and acted in shows in the United States, Europe, South America, and South Africa. He died on July 2, 1977, in New York.

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