Theodor Bikel was an American actor and musician, born on May 2, 1924, in Vienna, Austria. He is best known for his roles in “The Sound of Music,” “The Defiant Ones,” and “The African Queen.” Bikel was recognized for his versatility in performing across various languages and art forms.
Personal and Family Life
Throughout his life, Theodore Bikel was married four times. His last marriage was to Aimee Ginsburg in December 2013, which lasted until his death in July 2015. He also had two children from his previous marriage to Rita Weinberg Call. Bikel was fluent in multiple languages and had a deep appreciation for folk music, which he showcased in various performances worldwide.
Death and Legacy
Theodore Bikel passed away on July 21, 2015, in Los Angeles, California, due to natural causes. His contributions to theater and film have left a lasting impact, especially through his role as Captain Von Trapp in the original Broadway cast of “The Sound of Music.” Bikel’s talent extended beyond acting as he was also a committed folk musician, co-founding the Newport Folk Festival with Pete Seeger.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The African Queen | 1951-01-07 | First Officer |
| The Return of the King | 1980-05-11 | Aragorn (voice) |
| Victory at Entebbe | 1976-12-13 | Yakov Shlomo |
| The Defiant Ones | 1958-08-14 | Sheriff Max Muller |
| Moulin Rouge | 1952-12-23 | King Milo IV of Serbia |
| My Fair Lady | 1964-10-21 | Zoltan Karpathy |
| Law & Order | 1990-09-13 | Sol Bregman |
| Fiddler on the Roof | 1971-09-22 | Tevye |
| The Twilight Zone | 1959-10-02 | Oliver Crangle |