Harvey Lembeck was an American comedic actor best remembered for his role as Cpl. Rocco Barbella on The Phil Silvers Show in the late 1950s, and as the stumbling, overconfident quasi-outlaw biker Eric Von Zipper in beach party films during the 1960s. He also turned in noteworthy performances in both the stage and screen versions of Stalag 17. He was the father of actor and director Michael Lembeck and actress Helaine Lembeck.
Lembeck was born in Brooklyn to a Jewish family. Lembeck started his career right out of New Utrecht High School, as a dancer at the 1939-40 New York World's Fair. He was half of an exhibition dance team known as The Dancing Carrolls. His partner, Caroline Dubs, became his wife.
The son of a Brooklyn button manufacturer, Lembeck yearned for a career as a radio sports announcer. Following his discharge from the U.S. Army at the end of World War II in 1945, he attended New York University, obtaining a degree in radio arts in 1947. However, he chose the stage as a career upon the advice of one of his instructors, Prof. Robert Emerson, who had seen him perform in college plays.
Date of Birth | 15th April 1923 |
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Date of Death | 5th January 1982 |
Age at Death | 58 Years |
Zodiac Sign | Aries |
Country | United States of America |
Current City | Brooklyn |
Birth Place | Brooklyn |
Death Place | Los Angeles |
Nationality | United States of America |
Citizenship | United States of America |
Children | Michael Lembeck |
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Education |
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New York University Tisch School of the Arts, New Utrecht High School, New York University |
Occupation | stage actor, television actor |
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