Sidney Blackmer, the Tony-award winning actor who played Teddy Roosevelt in seven movies, is best remembered by today's movie audiences for his turn as the warlock/coven-leader Roman Castevet in 'Roman Polanski . 'Ed Begley, Sr.' won an Oscar for his portrayal of Boss Finley in 'Richard Brooks''s film of the 'Tennessee Williams' play, a role that Blackmer had originated on Broadway under the stalwart direction of infamous Hollywood Un-American Activities Committee snitch 'Elia Kazan'. Blackmer last appeared on Broadway in "A Case of Libel" in the 1963-64 season. In his private life, Blackmer served as the national vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was honored with a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1625 Vine Street, and was the recipient of the North Carolina Award, the state of North Carolina's highest civilian award, in 1972. Blackmer was married to Lenore Ulric from 1928 until 1939, when they were divorced. He married his second wife Suzanne Kaaren in 1943. They had two sons, Jonathan and Brewster Blackmer. Sidney Blackmer died of cancer on October 6, 1973 at the age of 78 in New York City. He was interred in Chestnut Hill Cemetery in his home town of Salisbury, NC.
His widow became entangled in a battle with Donald Trump during the 1980s. Trump wanted to sell the apartment she rented under New York Citys Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program. Trump wanted more than the $1000 a month restriction and wanted her to sell the apartment. Eventually, in 1998, Trump was allowed to turn the apartment into condos, subject, however, to her tenancy. (Suzanne Kaaren) Mrs. Blackmer did not receive any money as a result of the legal battle with Trump. Trump was enjoined from all attempts to evict her from the 100 Central Park South Apartment where she remained until her death in August 2004. The Blackmers rented the apartment in 1948 and maintained a residence throughout their lives.
Won Broadways 1950 Tony Award as Best Actor for his role in "Come Back, Little Sheba".
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1625 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
While he portrayed Republican President Theodore Roosevelt more times than any actor on screen (eight in all), he himself noted that he was, ironically, a Democrat.
Following his death, he was interred at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in his hometown Salisbury, North Carolina.
Had two sons: Jonathan Blackmer and Brewster Blackmer.
