Marc Lawrence (born Max Goldsmith, February 17, 1910 â€" November 28,
2005) was an American character actor who specialized in underworld
types. He has also been credited as F. A. Foss, Marc Laurence and Marc
C. Lawrence.Lawrence was born in New York City, the son of a Polish
Jewish mother, Minerva Norma (née Sugarman), and a Russian Jewish
father, Israel Simon Goldsmith. He participated in plays in school,
then attended the City College of New York. In 1930, he received a
two-year scholarship to the repertory theater operated by Eva Le
Gallienne.In 1930, Lawrence befriended another young actor, John
Garfield. The two appeared in a number of plays before Lawrence was
given a film contract with Columbia Pictures. Lawrence's film debut
came in 1933.Lawrence's pock-marked complexion, brooding appearance
and New York street-guy accent made him a natural for heavies, and he
played scores of gangsters and mob bosses over the next six decades.
Later, Lawrence found himself under scrutiny for his political
leanings. When called before the House Un-American Activities
Committee, he admitted he had once been a member of the Communist
Party. He named Sterling Hayden, Lionel Stander, Anne Revere, Larry
Parks, Karen Morley and Jeff Corey as Communists. He was blacklisted
and departed for Europe, where he continued to make films.
2005) was an American character actor who specialized in underworld
types. He has also been credited as F. A. Foss, Marc Laurence and Marc
C. Lawrence.Lawrence was born in New York City, the son of a Polish
Jewish mother, Minerva Norma (née Sugarman), and a Russian Jewish
father, Israel Simon Goldsmith. He participated in plays in school,
then attended the City College of New York. In 1930, he received a
two-year scholarship to the repertory theater operated by Eva Le
Gallienne.In 1930, Lawrence befriended another young actor, John
Garfield. The two appeared in a number of plays before Lawrence was
given a film contract with Columbia Pictures. Lawrence's film debut
came in 1933.Lawrence's pock-marked complexion, brooding appearance
and New York street-guy accent made him a natural for heavies, and he
played scores of gangsters and mob bosses over the next six decades.
Later, Lawrence found himself under scrutiny for his political
leanings. When called before the House Un-American Activities
Committee, he admitted he had once been a member of the Communist
Party. He named Sterling Hayden, Lionel Stander, Anne Revere, Larry
Parks, Karen Morley and Jeff Corey as Communists. He was blacklisted
and departed for Europe, where he continued to make films.
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