Fritz Feld: Movies & Box Office

Fritz Feld, originally named Fritz Feilchenfeld, was a German-American film character actor who had a prolific career spanning over seven decades, appearing in more than 140 films both in the silent and sound era. Born on October 15, 1900 in Berlin, Germany, Feld's acting career began in his home country in 1917 with his screen debut in 'Der Golem und die Tänzerin' (The Golem and the Dancing Girl). He later migrated to the United States and was part of Morris Gest's production of The Miracle during the mid-1920s. His association with the director Cecil B. DeMille led to his work on the film 'The Godless Girl'. Feld was known for his distinctive performance characteristic - a slap on his mouth with his palm to create a 'pop!' sound indicating superiority and annoyance.

Feld performed various roles, often playing maître d'hôtel, aristocrats and eccentrics. He worked with renowned entertainers like Marx Brothers, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, among others. He transitioned to television roles in his later years, playing recurring roles in series like 'Lost In Space'. His final film appearance was made in 1989. Beyond his acting career, Fritz Feld was a keen amateur chess player and would often engage in all-night chess sessions with 1948 U.S. champion Herman Steiner and international master George Koltanowski. Feld, who passed away on November 18, 1993, was married to Virginia Christine who gained fame for her role as 'Mrs. Olson' in commercials for Folgers Coffee. They had one child together.