Jack and Madeline Gilford papers

1938-2005 [bulk 1961-1990]

Jack Gilford (1908-1990) was a veteran vaudeville and revue comedian who played comic character roles in many stage and television productions as well as in a number of films. Gilford was born Jacob Aaron Gellman on New York City's Lower East Side and was discovered by Milton Berle while working in a pharmacy. His first Broadway appearance was in Meet the People and he also worked in vaudeville doing impressions. Jack met his wife Madeline Lee at a political meeting in the 1940s while they were both married to other people. They were married in 1949 and had two children, Joseph and Sam. Jack also raised Madeline's daughter from her previous marriage, Lisa. Jack and Madeline were blacklisted during the 1950s along with his friend Zero Mostel. Madeline Gilford and Mostel were two of the names put forth by Jerome Robbins in his testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Both husband and wife were unable to find work for much of the 1950's. In the 1960s Gilford went on to star in No, No, Nanette, Cabaret, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Once Upon a Mattress. As the drunken jailer in Fledermaus, Mr. Gilford also became the first non-singer to play a major speaking role in a Metropolitan Opera Production. Later in life Gilford's work in Sly Fox in both Los Angeles and New York was considered some of his finest comedy.

Gilfords talents were not limited to comedy and he made dramatic appearances in The Diary of Anne Frank, The Tenth Man, and The World of Sholem Aleichem. Mr. Gilford also played roles in many award winning films such as Enter Laughing, The Incident, Catch 22, Caveman, and Save the Tiger, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

His television appearances included Of Thee I Sing, Love Boat, Taxi, and Apple Pie. In the 1980's Jack returned to his vaudeville roots performing his one man show in various venues around the country including Town Hall. The show was taped for television as The Very Special Jack Gilford Special. He also appeared in Cocoon and Cocoon: The Return and on television in The Duck Factory and The Golden Girls. In 1990, Jack lost his battle with stomach cancer.

Madeline Gilford (1923-2008) was film and stage actress and social activist, who later started a career as a producer, working with her husband Jack on many projects. Madeline began her acting career at the age of three when she was chosen to be the replacement Jean Darling in the Our Gang comedies. In the 1930's and 1940's Madeline worked on radio shows such as Let's Pretend and also starred in television productions of The Anniversary and Little Women. Her extensive career includes highlights such as Broadway and off-Broadway appearances in The Eve of St. Mark, Embezzelled Heaven, and Funny Girl, many television films such as A Secret Space and Day to Day Affairs, and feature films including The Sunset Gang, Roseland, and Save the Tiger. In the 1970's and 1980's Madeline began to focus on producing with projects such as The World of Sholom Aleichem for CBS Cable, The Very Special Jack Gilford Special, Look to the Rainbow, a tribute to Yip Harburg, and Band in Berlin and Rags on Broadway. In addition to her involvement with film and theater, Madeline co-authored the book 170 Years in Show Business with her good friend Kate Mostel.

Later in life, Madeline became involved as a board member in the National Musical Theatre Network, taught at the Actor's Institute, and worked with United Jewish Appeal and the Rosenberg Fund for Children among many other charitable activities. Madeline died in New York City in 2008.