Biography
Sig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his portrayals of pompous and often stereotypical Teutonic officials or villains. Ruman made his film debut in Lucky Boy (1929). He became a favorite of the Marx Brothers, appearing in A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, and A Night in Casablanca. His German accent and large stature kept him busy during World War II, playing sinister Nazi characters in a series of wartime thrillers. During this period, he also appeared in several films by director Ernst Lubitsch including Ninotchka and To Be or Not to Be. Ruman continued playing over-the-top German characters later in his career for Billy Wilder in The Emperor Waltz, Stalag 17, and The Fortune Cookie.
Known For
White Christmas
Landlord (uncredited)
Ninotchka
Comrade Iranoff
To Be or Not to Be
Col. Ehrhardt
Stalag 17
Sgt. Johann Sebastian Schulz
Nothing Sacred
Dr. Emil Eggelhoffer
One, Two, Three
Count von Droste Schattenburg (voice) (uncredited)
The Song of Bernadette
Louis Bouriette
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Hammacher (uncredited)
A Night at the Opera
Gottlieb
Only Angels Have Wings
Dutchy