Bella Bruck

Bella Bruck
Bruck in an episode of Lock-Up (1960)
Born	(1911-12-11)December 11, 1911 The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Died	April 5, 1982(1982-04-05) (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1958–1980

Bella Bruck (December 11, 1911 – April 5, 1982) was an American character actress known for her expressive face, comic timing, and recurring portrayals of eccentric, loud, or ethnic maternal figures, she was a reliable supporting performer in both mainstream and cult productions.

Bella Bruck was born December 11, 1911, in The Bronx, New York. She studied drama under movement specialist Benjamin Zemach, whose physically expressive style would influence Bruck’s acting throughout her career. One of her classmates in these classes was Alan Arkin, though the two would not appear on screen together until much later in life.^[1]

The career of Bruck in television began in the early 1960s, quickly establishing her as a scene-stealing comic character actress. Her breakout performance came in the sitcom Angel (1961), where she portrayed Mrs. Spiegelman, a French-accented friend who impersonates the main character’s mother. The episode, titled “Little White Lie,” received praise from critics who said Bruck “stole the show.”^[2]

In 1964, Bruck guest-starred in two comedic segments on The Red Skelton Hour. She played Laughing Bankbook’s mother in a sketch and also portrayed Skelton’s wife in the Silent Spot, showcasing her physical comedy skills.^[3][4]

She appeared in a 1965 episode of Tammy titled “The Aristocratic Tates,” where she played Grundy Tate’s swamp-dwelling sister. Though she had only three words of dialogue, her performance was well received.^[5]

In 1978, Bruck guest-starred in a rerun episode of Maude involving a visit from Aunt Tinkie.^[6]

Her final known television appearance was in the 1980 ABC pilot The Ugilly Family, where she played Tillie, the mother-in-law of a working-class family that moves to California.^[7][8]

Bruck also performed in several stage productions throughout her career. She was cast in the 1962 West Coast premiere of the Broadway musical comedy A Family Affair at the Cameo Playhouse in Hollywood.^[9]

In 1970, she starred in the original play Bandicoot at the Actor’s Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Her performance as a Jewish matron was praised for its comedic presence and authority.^[10]

On November 30, 1961, Bruck issued a statement to clarify that she was alive following the publication of a mistaken death notice in the Los Angeles Times. She humorously added that she remained “in circulation” and available for acting roles.^[11]

Bella Bruck died on April 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 70.

• A Family Affair (1962, Cameo Playhouse)^[9]
• Bandicoot (1970, Actor’s Theatre Company)^[10]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bella Bruck.

• Bella Bruck at IMDb