Sam Levene was the actor who originated "craps-shooter extraordinaire" Nathan Detroit in the seminal American musical "Guys and Dolls" on the Great White Way in the original 1950 production. Levene was not a good singer and had trouble staying in key, so his solo number "Sue Me" had to be written in one octave to compensate for his lack of pipes. Singing great 'Frank Sinatra' . Sam Levene died of a heart attack on December 28, 1980. He was 75 years old.
Although Levene created the role of Nathan Detroit in the original Broadway production of "Guys and Dolls" in 1950, he did so with a decided handicap for a musical comedy leading man: He couldnt sing. His one solo number, "Sue Me," was deliberately written in only one octave, and when he had to sing in an ensemble number, such as "The Oldest Established," he mimed the words.
Was nominated for Broadways 1961 Tony Award as Best Actor for "The Devils Advocate."
Originated the role of Al Lewis on Broadway in the original production of Neil Simon s The Sunshine Boys (1975/I) . The movie role went to George Burns.
In 1925 he was working as a dress cutter for his brother Joe and wanted to become a salesman. Joe would only agree if Sam improved his "poise", so, Sam auditioned for the legendary Charles Jehlinger, at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, who gave him a scholarship and the rest is history.
In 1950 he starred in the film With These Hands , about the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. At the opening of the film, David Dubinsky , the President of the ILGWU, told him "I know you", and Sam said "Yes, I am in the film with Arlene Francis ". Dubinsky replied, "No, you were a cutter, just like me".
Karen Burroughs Hannsberry has a short biography of him in her book "Bad Boys: The Actors of Film Noir".
