Al Ritz

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Al Ritz
Born
Albert Joachim

(1901-08-27)August 27, 1901
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 1965(1965-12-22) (aged 64)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
OccupationActor, comedian
Years active1920s–1965
Known forMember of the Ritz Brothers
Spouse(s)Annette Ritz (m. ?-1965; his death)

Albert "Al" Joachim (August 27, 1901 – December 22, 1965), known professionally as Al Ritz, was an American actor, comedian and entertainer. Ritz was the oldest of the Ritz Brothers.

Early life[]

Ritz was born Albert Joachim on August 27, 1901, in Newark, New Jersey.[1] His father, Max Joachim (December 1871–January 4, 1939) owned a haberdashery while his mother, Pauline Joachim (May 1874–November 26, 1935) was a housewife. Ritz's father was a native of Austria-Hungary and his mother was born in Russia.[2] Ritz had three brothers, George, Samuel (later "Jimmy Ritz"), and Harry, and a sister, Gertrude Soll.[3]

Career[]

Early career[]

Ritz began his solo career shortly after he finished high school to join vaudeville.

The Ritz Brothers[]

After the three Joachim brothers graduated from high school, they decided to team up as a song-and-comedy act. The brothers began using the name "Ritz" for their nightclub act reportedly after seeing the name on the side of a laundry truck. With fourth brother George acting as their agent, the Ritz Brothers worked nightclubs and vaudeville. The act consisted of the trio indulging in precision dancing, tongue-twisting lampoons of popular stories and songs, and slapstick.[2]

In 1934, the Ritz boys made their screen debut in the two-reel comedy Hotel Anchovy, which led to their being signed by 20th Century Fox as a specialty act. Sing, Baby, Sing (1936) was the first feature film to costar the Ritzes, and their first starring role followed a year later in Life Begins in College.[2]

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the Ritz Brothers continued a wildly popular supper club and resort circuit and made their first appearances as TV guest stars.[2]

Personal life[]

Ritz was married once, to Annette Ritz. They were married until his death. Ritz did not have any children.

Death[]

The Ritz Brothers were appearing at New Orleans' Roosevelt Hotel in December 1965 when Al died of a heart attack on December 22.[4] He is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Filmography[]

Year Movie
1934 Hotel Anchovy
1936 Sing, Baby, Sing
1937 Cinema Circus
1937 One in a Million
1937 On the Avenue
1937 You Can't Have Everything
1937 Life Begins in College
1937 Ali Baba Goes to Town
1938 The Goldwyn Follies
1938 Kentucky Moonshine
1938 Straight Place and Show
1939 The Three Musketeers
1939 The Gorilla
1939 Pack Up Your Troubles
1940 Argentine Nights
1942 Behind the Eight Ball
1943 Hi'ya, Chum
1943 Show-Business at War
1943 Never a Dull Moment
1956 Brooklyn Goes to Las Vegas

References[]

  1. ^ "IMDb Entry". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Al Ritz (1901-1965) Find A Grave Memorial". Find a Grave. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  3. ^ Cullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence & McNeilly, Donald (2007), Vaudeville, Old & New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America, New York: Routledge, p. 935, ISBN 978-0-415-93853-2.
  4. ^ "Obituary for Al Ritz (Aged 64)". Kenosha News. December 23, 1965. p. 3. Retrieved April 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

External links[]

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