Zero Mostel

Known for

Acting

Born

February 28, 1915

Birthplace

Brooklyn, New York, USA

Died

August 8, 1977 (aged 62)

Biography

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.

Best known work

The Producers

1968

Watership Down

1978

The Muppet Show

1976

The Front

1976

Panic in the Streets

1950

The Hot Rock

1972

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

1966

The Enforcer

1951

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962

Sirocco

1951

Filmography

2024
Remembering Gene Wilder
as Self (archive footage)
2018
Mel Brooks: Unwrapped
as Self (archive footage)
2013
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
as Self (archive footage)
2007
Hitler: The Comedy Years
as Max Bialystock (archive footage) (uncredited)
2005
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards
as Pseudolus ("A Funny Thing Happened on the ...") (arch. foot.)
2003
Broadway's Lost Treasures
as Tevye (segment "Fiddler On The Roof")
1986
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
as Self (archive footage)
1985
Muppet Treasures
as Self
1979
Best Boy
as Self
1978
Watership Down
as Kehaar (voice)
1977
Ride of the Valkyrie
1976
The Little Drummer Boy: Book II
as Brutus (voice)
1976
The Front
as Hecky Brown
1976
Mastermind
as Inspector Hoku Ichihara
1976
The Muppet ShowTV
as Self - Special Guest Star (1 episode)
1975
Journey into Fear
as Kopelkin
1975
Fore Play
as President / Don Pasquale
1974
Once Upon a Scoundrel
as Carlos del Refugio
1974
Rhinoceros
as John
1973
Marco
as Kublai Khan
1973
Saga of Sonora
as Heavy Harry
1973
Old Faithful
as Ranger Zeppel
1972
The Hot Rock
as Abe Greenberg
1971
The Electric CompanyTV
as Spell Binder (voice) (650 episodes)
1970
The Flip Wilson ShowTV
as Self (1 episode)