55 Years ago, on September 1, actor, director, early television star, and union leader, Philip Loeb, took a room at the Taft Hotel in Manhattan and ended his life. At that time, for the preceding 6 years, he had been blacklisted from working due to his political beliefs and activities. Philip Loeb starred as “Mr. Jake Goldberg” in the early tv hit, “The Goldbergs” which was written, produced, and starred Gertrude Berg as “Mrs. Molly Goldberg.” He had taught Kirk Douglas and Don Rickles to act, and directed parts of the Marx Brothers film, “Room Service.” You may remember a scene from Woody Allen’s film, “The Front,” in which a blacklisted actor ends his life. The plot was based on Loeb’s demise.
Want to remember a blacklisted actor’s life? Manhatan’s Museum of Jewish Heritage (just blocks from Ground Zero!) will remember Philip Loeb on Wednesday evening, September 1 at 6:30, with a panel discussion including Aviva Kempner, director, “Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg;” Anna Berger, actress on The Goldbergs; Peter Friedman, an actor who is writing a play about Loeb; Dr. Steve Loeb, Loeb’s grandnephew; Dr. Glenn Smith, Loeb’s biographer; and Jim Brochu, actor and playwright Zero Hour (a play about actor Zero Mostel, who housed Loeb during his unemployment)
