- Born
- Died
- Mr. Loeb returned to Broadway following his unjust firing from "The Goldbergs". He starred in the Broadway production of "Time Out for Ginger" and was appearing in the play's touring company at the time of his suicide in the Hotel Taft in New York on September 1, 1955. Had he lived a few days longer he would have learned that the FBI had decided to fully clear his name. His suicide was not only linked to his blacklisting but also to the fact that his wife of many years had recently died and his mentally ill son's condition was quickly deteriorating. Mr. Loeb was also in failing health. But there is no doubt that his treatment by the government broke his heart and his spirit.- IMDb mini biography by: James Combs
- SpouseJeanne La Gue(1924 - 1940) (divorced, 1 child)
- He was blacklisted during the "Red Scare" of the early 1950s, though charges against him were never proven. He declared under oath that he was never a member of the Communist Party and despite co-star Gertrude Berg's efforts to keep him, The Goldbergs (1949)'s sponsor General Foods and CBS executives made it clear that either he'd leave or the show would be yanked off the air. With its switch to NBC in February 1952, Loeb was gone and his acting career went with it. He became depressed and embittered, committing suicide with an overdose of barbituates in 1955.
- Enjoyed a long career on Broadway; active there from 1916-1948, returning in 1952 for one more production (the hit comedy, "Time Out for Ginger," starring Melvyn Douglas) after being blacklisted in Hollywood. Although he was an infrequent stage director, he continued to act and occasionally choreograph throughout his career.
- Loeb's case is also noted in the Philip Roth novel I Married a Communist.
- Loeb was the sole support of a mentally disturbed son, and was burdened with financial problems. Screenwriter Walter Bernstein was part of a circle of friends including Zero Mostel, and said "I never saw Loeb smile, even when Zero was at his hilarious best.".
- Was a show business labor activist with the Theatre Guild and Actors' Equity Association.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content