Al Ritz

Birth: Aug. 27, 1901 Death: Dec. 22, 1965

Comedian. Al, Jimmy, and Harry know collectively as The Ritz Brothers were the sons of Austrian-born haberdasher Max Joachim. The brothers grew up in New Jersey and Brooklyn. After the three Joachim brothers graduated from high school, they decided to team up as a song-and-comedy act. The brothers began using the name "Ritz" for their nightclub act reportedly after seeing the name on the side of a laundry truck. With fourth brother George as their agent, the Ritz Brothers worked nightclubs and vaudeville. The act consisted of the trio indulging in precision dancing, tongue-twisting lampoons of popular stories and songs, and slapstick. In 1934, the Ritz boys made their screen debut in the two-reel comedy Hotel Anchovy, which led to their being signed by 20th Century-Fox as a specialty act. Sing Baby Sing (1936) was the first feature film to costar the Ritzes, and, their first starring role followed a year later in Life Begins in College. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the Ritz Brothers continued a wildly popular supper club and resort circuit and made their first appearances as TV guest stars. The Ritzes were appearing at New Orleans' Roosevelt Hotel in December of 1965 when Al died of a heart attack. Harry and Jimmy kept the act going as best they could, though by the end of the 1960s they settled into semi-retirement, making occasional talk show and game show appearances. In the mid 1970s, Harry and Jimmy briefly returned to the limelight with the popularity of Mel Brooks and his professed idolatry of the brothers. Harry made a handful of solo TV and movie appearances. Harry and Jimmy retired permanently in the 1980s, proud of the fact that despite all tribulation, the Ritz Brothers weathered seven decades as one of show business' most professionally harmonious comedy teams They have a star on the walk of fame on the west side of Palm Canyon Drive between Tahquitz and Amado. (bio by: Iola)

Family links:

Parents:

 Pauline Joachim (1874 - 1935)

Spouse:

 Annette Ritz (1904 - 1992)*

Siblings:

 Al Ritz (1901 - 1965)

 Jimmy Ritz (1904 - 1985)*

 Harry Ritz (1907 - 1986)*

*Calculated relationship

Cause of death: Heart attack

Burial: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Los Angeles County California, USA Plot: New Beth Olam Mausoleum, T-4, Bottow row GPS (lat/lon): 34.08753, -118.32119

Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: May 21, 1999 Find A Grave Memorial# 5500