Sig Ruman
ActingAbout Sig Ruman
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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Sig Ruman reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Sig Ruman's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 70% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Sig Ruman remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in To Be or Not to Be, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Sig Ruman Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Sig Ruman's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Sig Ruman.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | The Fortune Cookie | Professor Winterhalter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | 36 Hours | German Guard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | One, Two, Three | Count von Droste Schattenburg (voice) (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Wings of Eagles | Manager | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | Spy Chasers | King Rinko | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Many Rivers to Cross | Spectacle Man | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | White Christmas | Landlord (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Living It Up | Dr. Emile Egelhofer | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Glenn Miller Story | W. Kranz | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Houdini | Schultz | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Stalag 17 | Sgt. Johann Sebastian Schulz | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation | Cyrus Kraft | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | The World in His Arms | General Ivan Vorashilov | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | O. Henry's Full House | Menkie (segment "The Gift of the Magi") (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Father Is a Bachelor | Jericho Schlosser | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Border Incident | Hugo Wolfgang Ulrich | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Give My Regards to Broadway | Arthur Dinkel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | If You Knew Susie | Count Alexis | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Faithful in My Fashion | Professor Boris Riminoffsky | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | A Night in Casablanca | Count Pfefferman / Heinrich Stubel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | A Royal Scandal | General Ronsky | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | It Happened Tomorrow | Mr. Beckstein | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Song of Bernadette | Louis Bouriette | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | They Came to Blow Up America | Dr. Herman Holger | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Tarzan Triumphs | Sergeant | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | To Be or Not to Be | Col. Ehrhardt | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Breakdowns of 1941 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Love Crazy | Dr. Wuthering | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Wagons Roll at Night | Hoffman the Great | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | That Uncertain Feeling | Kafka (as Sig Rumann) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | So Ends Our Night | Ammers | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Four Sons | Newmann | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | I Was an Adventuress | Herr Protz | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet | Dr. Hans Wolfert | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Ninotchka | Comrade Iranoff | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Only Angels Have Wings | Dutchy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Never Say Die | Poppa Ingleborg | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Paradise for Three | Mr. Bold | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Saint in New York | Hutch Rellin | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Nothing Sacred | Dr. Emil Eggelhoffer | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Heidi | Police Captain | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Thin Ice | Prime Minister | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Think Fast, Mr. Moto | Nicolas Marloff | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | A Day at the Races | Dr. Leopold X. Steinberg | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | This Is My Affair | Gus | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Maytime | Fanchon (as Sig Rumann) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Seventh Heaven | Durand (as Sig Rumann) | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | On the Avenue | Herr Hanfstangel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Princess Comes Across | Steindorf | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | A Night at the Opera | Gottlieb | Hit | Similar → |
Sig Ruman - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Sig Ruman?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Sig Ruman is "To Be or Not to Be" with a rating of 7.8/10.
How many movies has Sig Ruman acted in?
Sig Ruman has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Sig Ruman?
Other notable films include "Stalag 17", "Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation", and "Ninotchka".