| Allan Arbus | |
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| Birth name | Allan Arbus |
| Born | February 15 1918 New York, New York |
| Occupation | Actor, Director, Photographer |
| Years active | 1959 - Present {As Actor} |
| Spouse(s) | Diane Arbus 1941 - 1969, ) Mariclare Costello 1977 - present |
Allan Arbus (born February 15, 1918) is an American actor notable for his role as psychiatrist Dr. Sidney Freedman on the television series M*A*S*H.
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Biography
Early life
Arbus was born in New York City of Jewish background.[1] His first wife was photographer Diane Arbus (née Nemerov), whom he married in 1941. At one time before he became an actor, he was so taken by Benny Goodman's recordings that he took up playing the clarinet.
Photograhy Career, Marriage and Divorce
During the 1940s, Arbus became a photographer for the United States Army and afterward set up a photographic advertising business with his wife. Edward Steichen's noted photo exhibition The Family of Man included a photograph credited to the couple.[2] The pair had two children, photographer Amy Arbus and writer and art director Doon Arbus. The couple divorced in 1969, and Diane Arbus went on to become one of the most notable American photographers of the late 20th century. Arbus married Irish-American actress Mariclare Costello in 1977, with whom he has one daughter, Arin Arbus.
Acting Career, Recurring M*A*S*H* Role
Arbus' acting career took off after he landed the lead role in Robert Downey Sr.'s cult film Greaser's Palace in 1972, starred opposite Bette Davis in Scream, Pretty Peggy in 1973, and was featured as Gregory LaCava in W.C. Fields and Me in 1976. These led to his continuing role as Maj. Sidney Freedman on M*A*S*H, all though in an early episode, titled "Radar's Report" (1973) he was called "Milton Freedman". This role would lead to other television and film works, which include a brief appearance in the 1973 film Cinderella Liberty as a drunken sailor. Arbus is also seen in the 1973 film Coffy (starring Pam Grier), where he plays a drug-dealer with strange sexual needs. Diane and Allan Arbus' studio/living quarters were at one time at 319 East 72nd Street in New York City. Their neighbor and friend was Bob Brown, an actor from the TV show Here Come the Brides.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
More recently, Arbus appeared as Larry's uncle Nathan in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.[episode needed]
References
- ^ Bloom, Nate. "Celebrity Jews", The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, 2005-05-05. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
- ^ Marshall, Peter. "Diane Arbus: Key Facts", About.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-22.
