Skulnik, Menasha

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SKULNIK, MENASHA

SKULNIK, MENASHA (1892–1970), U.S. comedian. Born in Warsaw, Skulnik went to the U.S. in 1913, and toured with Yiddish stock companies in the U.S., South America, and Europe. From 1918 he acted in Yiddish musical shows in the theaters on New York's Second Avenue, becoming known for his portrayal of the little guy against the world. He played Uncle David in the radio serial Rise of the Goldbergs (1931–50) and subsequently starred in his own television program, Menasha the Magnificent. From 1953 he appeared in a number of plays on Broadway.