Maurice Moscovitch

Maurice Moscovich (born Morris Maaskov; November 23, 1871 – June 18, 1940) was a Russian American actor who was well-known for his roles in Yiddish theatre. His 14 films, which he made at the end of his life, include Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator.

Life and career Maurice Moscovich was born Morris Maaskov in Odessa, Tsarist Russia. He emigrated to the United States no later than 1897 and performed for decades in the Yiddish theatre in New York and appeared in two 1930 Broadway plays.

In the last four years of his life, Moscovitch played supporting roles in 14 films. With his distinctive accent, he portrayed mostly wise and friendly old men, often with Jewish background. He played a shopkeeper in the highly praised Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) and the art dealer Maurice Cobert in Love Affair (1939) with Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. His last film was Charlie Chaplin's Hitler-satire The Great Dictator, in which he played the Barber's friendly Jewish neighbour, Mr. Jaeckel, who flees into exile to his brother.

Maurice Moskovich died at the age of 68, following surgery. At the time of his death, he was playing the role of a dancing master in Dance, Girl, Dance. His role had to be quickly rewritten for actress Maria Ouspenskaya. He is buried with his wife Rose (1872–1944) at the Beth Olam Cemetery in Hollywood. The couple had three sons, including actor Noel Madison (1897-1975).

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1936 Winterset Esdras 1937 Make Way for Tomorrow Max Rubens Lancer Spy Gen. Von Meinhardt 1938 Gateway Grandpa Hlawek Suez Mohammed Ali 1939 Love Affair Maurice Cobert Susannah of the Mounties Chief Big Eagle In Name Only Dr. Muller Rio Old Convict The Great Commandment Lamech Everything Happens at Night Dr. Hugo Norden 1940 South to Karanga Paul Stacco The Great Dictator Mr. Jaeckel