Jennie Moscowitz (1867 or 1868 – July 26, 1953) was an American actress who was known for portraying Jewish mothers[1] and was "equally well known on the English and Yiddish stages".[2]
Early years
Moscowitz was born in Iași, Romania. Her father was a tutor at court, and she attended the Conservatoire de Declamation in Iași, the only Jewish student there at that time.[3] She was the oldest of four children.[4]
Career
Moscowitz debuted on stage in Iași when she was 13 years old, portraying Nanine in a production of Camille,[5] a command performance for Romania's king and queen.[6] It starred Sarah Bernhardt, "who took such a liking to the girl that she guided her professionally for the next five years."[5]
Moscowitz came to the United States as part of a troupe assembled by two Russian impresarios. She acted in supporting roles with the Jewish Art Theatre and learned English while doing so, thus gaining access to English-speaking roles.[5] Her Broadway debut was in The Melting Pot, and her "first notable success on the English-speaking stage" was in The Auctioneer, in which she acted for six seasons.[7] For another six seasons she portrayed Mrs. Potash in Potash and Perlmutter on Broadway and around the United States. She acted two more years in Partners Again, a sequel to Potash and Perlmutter.[7] Moscowitz's other Broadway credits included The Treasure, Partners Again), Kosher Kitty Kelly, The Song Writer, The Wooden Soldier, Excursion, and Counsellor-at-Law.[8]
Explaining her success in the theater, Moscowitz said, "If I tried to act, I wouldn't be worth a nickel to a producer. It's because I behave like myself, like a real Jewish mother -- and that's what I am in private life -- that the people like me."[5] Her sons tried to dissuade her from performing in a revival of the play Counsellor-at-Law, which came during her 60th year on stage. They relented after she told them, "I love it. I want to do it. It's my life."[9]
On radio, Moscowitz starred in the serials The Awakening[10] and My Boy[11] and was active as a dialectician.[7]
Personal life and death
Jennie and Max Moscowitz married in 1888.[1] He operated the Eldorado, the first Jewish variety theater in New York City, and after they married he managed her career for many years.[12] They had two sons[13] and a daughter.[14]
He died in 1947.[1] She died on July 26, 1953, in a home for the aged in the Bronx, New York City, aged 85.[5]
Papers
The Jennie Moscowitz papers are housed at the New York Public Library. The collection includes correspondence, personal papers, and scripts related to her career and her private life.[4]
