American actor
He had six children, three boys and three girls: Barbara, Gina, Julie, John, Steve and Tony.
He had eleven grandchildren.
He recorded a record single "Keep America Beautiful" and "The Mod Father" in the early 1970s.
Was an artist who painted with oil paints, and was published in the book "Actors as Artists" and has had gallery shows.
He was an alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Was one of the original founding members of the Covenant Players International Repertory Theater Company, a worldwide, inter-denominational, non-profit, theme-based, touring drama ministry, which started on September 29, 1963, in Los Angeles, California and is still operating over four decades later.
After seeing Tige perform in "Mister Roberts" on Broadway, director John Ford cast him in the film version of Mister Roberts and in at least two other projects including The Wings of Eagles .
His immigrant parents, following Syrian custom, named him after a strong animal because it was supposed to ensure good health.
Brooklyn-born, he was 3 when his mother, Selma, died, and his father, George, later remarried. Tige grew up amid a large family in Middlesex, N.J., where his father ran a fruit stand.
Served in the US Army during WWII but returned home after being wounded in Sicily.
His late wife, Norma Thornton , was a dancer who appeared regularly on "Toast of the Town" (aka The Ed Sullivan Show). She died in 1996.
His father ran a fruit stand.
His mother died when he was only three years old.
Was wounded while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
Credited director John Ford with being a major influence in his career.
I love playing characters with a tender side.
I have always had a good sense of humor, which helps to keep things in,perspective. It has served me in good stead throughout my life and,career. .
