The Probert Encyclopaedia of Actors

AKIM TAMIROFF

Akim Tamiroff was a Russian actor. He was born in 1899 at Tiflis, Georgia and died in 1972 of cancer. Akim Tamiroff was a short and stocky man with dark hair and thick eyebrows over intense eyes, and was often seen with a black moustache. Akim Tamiroff was cast in a variety of ethnic roles as both a hero and 'heavy'. Akim Tamiroff trained for acting at the Moscow Art Theatre Drama School and was touring with his repertory company in the USA in 1923 when he decided to stay in America. With his wife, actress Tamara Shayne, Akim Tamiroff joined Balieff's Chauvre Souris troupe and performed Russian nightclub acts. Akim Tamiroff also conducted a makeup academy in New York where he worked on stage and on Broadway productions. With the advent of sound in films Akim Tamiroff was attracted to the screen and performed many 'bit' parts in films which in turn led to a solid career as a character actor. Akim Tamiroff appeared in over 100 films and is perhaps best remembered for his role as Pablo in the film 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' for which he received a best supporting actor nomination.
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