Sig Ruman

Biography

Sig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his portrayals of pompous and often stereotypical Teutonic officials or villains. Ruman made his film debut in Lucky Boy (1929).

He became a favorite of the Marx Brothers, appearing in A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, and A Night in Casablanca. His German accent and large stature kept him busy during World War II, playing sinister Nazi characters in a series of wartime thrillers.

During this period, he also appeared in several films by director Ernst Lubitsch including Ninotchka and To Be or Not to Be. Ruman continued playing over-the-top German characters later in his career for Billy Wilder in The Emperor Waltz, Stalag 17, and The Fortune Cookie.

CritifyHub Reviews Featuring Sig Ruman

Chaos in Perfect Harmony: The Marx Brothers’ Opera Riot Still Sings

on A Night at the Opera | Aug 27, 2025

Ever wonder what happens when a wrecking ball of wit crashes into the stuffy world of opera? A Night at the Opera (1935) answers with a gleeful explosion of anarchy, courtesy of the Marx Brothers. Thi... Read more

Laughter in the Face of Tyranny: The Defiant Brilliance of ‘To Be or Not to Be’

on To Be or Not to Be | Aug 06, 2025

Can a comedy about Nazis be so sharp it slices through time? Ernst Lubitsch’s 1942 gem, To Be or Not to Be, dares to answer with a resounding yes, blending audacious wit with a sly middle finger to op... Read more