Jack Albertson

Lore & Background

Jack Albertson was born to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents in Malden, Massachusetts. His older sister was actress Mabel Albertson. As a child, he was bright but disruptive, making wisecracks and funny faces in school. At eighteen, he began earning money for prize-winning shows, learning tap steps from his sister and routines from vaudeville acts. He sang with a group called The Golden Rule Four under a railroad bridge.

Albertson's career spanned vaudeville, burlesque, Broadway, radio, film, and television. On Broadway, he appeared in productions such as *High Button Shoes*, *Top Banana*, *The Cradle Will Rock*, and *The Sunshine Boys*, for which he received a Tony nomination. He won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for *The Subject Was Roses* in 1964 and later won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the 1968 film adaptation. His film roles include Grandpa Joe in *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory* (1971) and Manny Rosen in *The Poseidon Adventure* (1972). On television, he played Ed Brown on *Chico and the Man* (1974–1978), earning an Emmy Award in 1976.

Albertson regretted not reprising his role in the film version of *The Sunshine Boys* because he was committed to *Chico and the Man*. He died of colon cancer at his Los Angeles home on November 25, 1981, at age 74. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

Reader's Guide

Jack Albertson's significance lies in his rare achievement of the Triple Crown of Acting—winning a Tony, an Oscar, and an Emmy—placing him among only 24 actors to do so. His dual wins for the same role in *The Subject Was Roses* (Tony for the 1964 play, Oscar for the 1968 film) further distinguish him as one of 11 actors to accomplish this. His career demonstrates versatility across performance mediums: from vaudeville and burlesque to Broadway, radio, film, and television. Notable roles include Grandpa Joe in *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory* and Ed Brown in *Chico and the Man*, the latter earning him an Emmy. Albertson's legacy is also marked by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, awarded in 1977. His work reflects the breadth of 20th-century American entertainment, and his accolades underscore his lasting impact on stage and screen.

Did You Know?

• Albertson is one of only 24 actors to have won the Triple Crown of Acting (Tony, Oscar, Emmy).
• He won both a Tony and an Academy Award for playing the same role, John Cleary in *The Subject Was Roses*.
• His sister Mabel Albertson was an actress known for *Bewitched*.
• Albertson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was placed in 1977 at 6253 Hollywood Boulevard.