Frieda Altman

Frieda Altman
Born(1904-08-18)August 18, 1904
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJanuary 14, 2002(2002-01-14) (aged 97)
New York, New York, U.S.
EducationBoston Latin School
Wellesley College
OccupationActress
Years active1932–1971
Known forSearch for Tomorrow
Spouse
Benjamin B. Gamzue
​
​
(m. 1933; died 1993)​

Frieda Altman (August 18, 1904 – January 14, 2002) was an American theatre and television character actress, perhaps best known for her recurring role as Mrs. Miller, the housekeeper, on Search for Tomorrow.

Early life and career

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 18, 1904, Altman was the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants Samuel and Bella Altman. She attended George Putnam School, Boston Latin School (class of 1920), and Wellesley College, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 1924. Having done so roughly two months before her 20th birthday, Altman was said to be the second youngest member of her graduating class.

In the spring of 1916, at age 11, Altman had reportedly been one of "500 little dancers" performing at the annual May Festival held at the Mechanic's Building in Boston. In a similar vein is her next documented public appearance, seven years later, wherein another annual event, Wellesley College's annual Tree Day, formed the backdrop for a variety of solo and group dances, including Altman and four others "tak[ing] part in an odd dance of candy sticks".

In February 1926, Altman was credited as "assistant to directors" in a production of Indian poet/playwright Kalidasa's signature work, Shakuntala. By April of that year, having advanced to "Chairman of Dramatics" of Junior Hadassah, Altman was also the second-billed player in that group's staging of Abraham Goldfaden's Shulamith, presented entirely in the original Yiddish. Approximately one year later, at Boston's Brattle Hall, Altman starred as Vera in a production of Israel Zangwill's The Melting Pot, staged by the Junior Council of Temple Ashkenaz, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1929, Altman portrayed the Virgin Mary in A Christmas Mystery, a production which marked the resumption—after a two-year lapse—of the Boston Public Library's annual Nativity Play presentation. The following February, while not appearing herself, Altman did direct The Eternal Song by Marc Arnstein, one of a pair of one-act plays comprising the debut of the Temple Israel Little Theatre of Boston. By December of that year, Altman had joined an amateur troupe performing in the Greater Boston region, called Lend-a-Hand Masque; on Saturday the 6th, she performed in their production of Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp, staged at the Brookline High School auditorium.

Prior to making her 1932 Broadway debut, Altman was with Falmouth's University Players, for a period of approximately eight months, beginning no later than December 1931. Her fellow performers included, at various times, Margaret Sullavan, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Kent Smith, Mildred Natwick, Myron McCormick, and Bretaigne Windust, as well as actor/director Joshua Logan. During that first month, she was part of a large supporting cast in the comedy, It's a Wise Child, starring Sullavan and Fonda, and directed by Logan. Later, in Don Marquis's passion play, The Dark Hours, Altman portrayed Mary Magdalene, alongside Logan himself as Pontius Pilate, Windust as Judas Iscariot, and—as Procla, Pilate's wife—Logan's future offstage spouse, Barbara O'Neil. Later still, as Mrs. Barwick, she appeared alongside Windust, O'Neil, Natwick, and McCormick in John Balderston's time-travel fantasy, Berkeley Square.

In 1952, Altman, as "Aunt Sarah", and child actress Patsy Bruder as "Alice", co-starred in "Little Girl", an episode of Lights Out, in which Sarah's seemingly sad but harmless delusion—mistaking Alice for a girl who had gone missing many years before—may in fact prove life-threatening for her niece.

In the 1963 DuPont Show of the Week episode, "Ride with Terror" (remade in 1967 as The Incident), Altman, Vincent Gardenia, Gene Hackman, and Ron Leibman were among the NYC Subway riders terrorized by delinquents Tony Musante and Gregory Rozakis. In 1967, she co-starred with Boris Tumarin in the Eternal Light episode, "The Book and the Window", with Tumarin portraying Israel Friedlander and Altman as his wife, Lilian.

From 1965 to 1971, Altman had the recurring role of Mrs. Miller, the housekeeper, on the CBS soap opera, Search for Tomorrow.

Personal life and death

On September 3, 1933, Altman married Benjamin—aka Boris—Gamzue, a Latvian-born professor of English and literature who spent most if not all of his career on the faculty of New York University.

Predeceased by her husband, Altman died in Manhattan at age 97, on January 14, 2002.

Broadway credits

Filmography

Films

Television

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "TV Star". Holyoke Transcript-Telegram. July 3, 1969. p. 11. "A television star accompanied her husband to a 50th Holyoke High School class reunion. Mrs. Benjamin Gamzue came here Sunday with her husband, Dr. Gamzue, retired New York University professor, who graduated from Holyoke High in 1919. Mrs. Gamzue is the former Frieda Altman. She stars in the daily television show 'Search for Tomorrow.' She plays the role of Mrs. Miller, the housekeeper. The Gamzues reside in New York City and have a summer home at Lake Mahopac, N. Y., to which they [went] after the reunion."
  2. 1 2 3 LaGuardia, Robert (1977). From Ma Perkins to Mary Hartman: The Illustrated History of Soap Operas. New York: Ballantine Books. pp. 108, 109. LCCN 76--56169. "1965: The greatest romance in the history of Search for Tomorrow started in 1965, between Joanne and business tycoon Sam Reynolds (played by handsome Bob Madigan). [...] On September 2, the cast of Search for Tomorrow gathered to celebrate the show’s fourteenth anniversary. From left: Freida [sic] Altman (Mrs. Miller), Dino Narizzano, Mary Stuart, Terry O’Sullivan, Melba Rae, Bob Mandan, Pat Harty (the new Patti), Carl Low (Dr. Bob Rogers), and Margaret Draper (a social worker)."
  3. 1 2 "Boston-Born Frieda Altman Plays One of the Roles in 'Little Brown Jug'". The Boston Globe. February 17, 1946. p. 30. "Boston-born Frieda Altman is again in her native city to act in "Little Brown Jug" at the Copley Theatre. Miss Altman's first stage appearance was at nearby Falmouth, Cape, with the University Players [...] She also played in Baltimore with this organization prior to making her debut on the Broadway stage in 'Carrie Nation.' A young actress, it was her fate to be cast old woman, and ever since she has been working her way back to roles which are more in keeping with her years. Among these were the society woman in the Gypsy Rose Lee epic, 'The Naked Genius,' a brisk lady journalist in 'Guest in the House' and a vivid Italian character part in 'Hickory Stick.' Miss Altman was last seen here in 'Mr. Cooper's Left Hand.'"
  4. ↑ Blum, Daniel C.; Willis, John A. (1950). Theatre World. New York: Crown Publishers. p. 159. OCLC 78231354
  5. ↑ "7545 Graduated Today From Boston Elementary Schools; Putnam School". The Boston Globe. June 23, 1916. p. 12.
  6. ↑ "GRADUATE 1290 GIRLS, 784 BOYS; Boston's Normal and High Schools Exercises Held; Girls' Latin School Graduates 87 Pupils: Diplomas". The Boston Globe. June 25, 1920. p. 12.
  7. ↑ "Honor Students of 1924 Class, Wellesley College, Announced". The Boston Globe. November 16, 1921. p. 4.
  8. ↑ "WELLESLEY COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT HELD FOR GRADUATING CLASS OF 389; Bachelor of Arts". The Boston Globe. June 18, 1924. p. 14.
  9. ↑ "Ten N.E. Girls Get High Wellesley Honors". The Boston Globe. Ten New England girls, five natives Massachusetts, are among senior Durant scholars at Wellesley, while three other New Englanders are among Junior Durant scholars. [...] In the Durant senior list are Miss Frieda Altman of Dorchester, the second youngest senior, Helen Eastman of Arlington and Miss Marion Russell of Dorchester."
  10. ↑ "LITTLE DANCERS NUMBER 500". The Boston Globe. April 30, 1916. p. 51.
  11. ↑ "CHOSEN FOR PARTS IN WELLESLEY TREE DAY; Many Bay State and Other N. E. Girls Selected". The Boston Globe. April 9, 1923. p. 18.
  12. ↑ "EAST-WEST UNION OFFERS HINDU PLAY: Ancient India Depicted in Boston Play". The Christian Science Monitor. February 6, 1926. p. 5B. ProQuest 511878686. 'Skantala,' the Hindu masterpiece, written 1600 years ago by Kalidasa, 'The Shakespeare of India,' is to be given for the first time in Boston next Monday and Tuesday evenings at the Fine Arts Theater under auspices of the East and West. The union is one branch of an organization called the Fellowship of Faiths, with headquarters in Elizabeth, N. J., and a large branch in New York, working under the direction of Charles F. Weller. [...] Others assisting in the presentation are William R. Brewster, lighting and stage manager; Charles J. Prescott, assistant to stage manager; Frieda Altman, assistant to directors
  13. ↑ "ARE PUSHING "SHULAII TO INEVITABLE SUCCESS: Willing Workers of Boston Junior Hadassah Unit 100 per Cent. Enthusiastic Over Operetta Which They Will Stage at the Boston Opera House, April 1-- Proceeds for Palestinian Orphans". Jewish Advocate. March 11, 1926. p. A7. ProQuest 870882805. MISS FRIEDA ALTMAN Chairman of Dramatics
  14. ↑ "'Shulamith,' Famous Jewish Drama, to Be Given April 1". The Boston Globe. March 24, 1926. p. 5. ""
  15. ↑ "TEMPLE ASHKENAZ JUNIOR COUNCIL TO GIVE PLAY". The Boston Globe. March 18, 1927. p. 2. "The Junior Council of Temple Ashkenaz, Cambridge, will present 'The Melting Pot' by Israel Zangwill in Brattle Hall, Cambridge, Wednesday, April 6. Nine have been selected out of a group of 200 applicants to take part in the play. Miss Cunningham is the coach. The following are the members of the cast: Albert Szathmary, Miss Frieda Altman, Max Duchin, Louis Klashman, Miss Evelyn Andelman, Miss Mary Creedman, Miss Anna Katzen, Hyman Levine and Max Finstein."
  16. ↑ "Cambridge Council to Give Dramatic Performance". Jewish Advocate. March 27, 1927. p. A1. ProQuest 870724364. Under the coaching of Miss Cunningham, a star cast of ten has been selected from a group of over 200 applicants, all members of the Council. The cast consists of the following: David—Albert Szathmary. Vera—Frieda Altman. Mr. Davenpor—Max Duchin. Baron Revendahl—Louis Klashman. Baroness Revendahl—Evelyn Andelman.
  17. ↑ "Plan Nativity Play at Boston Library". The Boston Globe. December 21, 1929. p. 4. "After two years the presentation of an annual Nativity play at the Boston Public Library is to be resumed by Community Service of Boston, Inc. The pageant was written by Harold F. Lindergreen after the manner of the old English mysteries and will be staged in six scenes representing the Annunciation, the road to Bethlehem, the shepherds' field, the adoration of the shepherds, Herod's palace, and the adoration of the Kings. Frieda Altman will appear as the Virgin Mary, Ralph Wheeler as St Joseph."
  18. ↑ "TEMPLE ISRAEL LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS PLAYS". The Boston Globe. February 5, 1930. p. 19.
  19. ↑ "LEND-A-HAND MASQUE TO GIVE PLAY IN BROOKLINE". The Boston Globe. December 4, 1930 p. 19. "[Additional] Brookline members of the cast are Edith May, Phyllis Bergen, Margaret Bigelow, Elizabeth and Jean Hamilton, Frieda Altman and Georgia Record."
  20. 1 2 "The Christmas Store: Schleiner Co., Howard and Saratoga; The Schleiner Label Tells the World You're a Thoughtful Giver". The Baltimore Sun. December 6, 1931. p. 4. "You're invited to visit our second floor ... tea and fashion revue ... Tuesday afternoon, 3 to 5 P.M. Margaret Sullavan, Merna Pace, Barbara O'Neill and Frieda Altman (University Players, at the Maryland Theatre) will be hostesses."
  21. 1 2 "KIWANIANS AT THEATER UNIT; Falmouth Group Conduct Ladies' Night with Fine Program". The New Bedford Evening Standard. July 20, 1932. p. 13. "Merna Pace, as Bertha the maid, and James Stewart, as Cool Kelly the iceman, received rounds of applause after their exits for their clever portrayal of roles that could have easily been over acted. [...] Helen Huberth carries off the role of Otho's wife, Alice Peabody, with some very good acting, and the group is completed by Frieda Altman, as the mother, Mrs. Stanton."
  22. 1 2 3 4 "It's a Wise Child Comes to Maryland This Week; katherine hastings; Merna Page; Frieda Altman; Comedy at Maryland This Week University Group Will Present It's A Wise Child, Which Had Long, New York Run". The Baltimore Sun. December 13, 1951. p. 51. "In addition to Miss Sullavan, the cast includes Henry Fonda, Alfred Dalrymple, Myron McCormick, Peter Wayne, Kent Smith, Charles E. Arndt, Jr., Frieda Altmán, Helen Buberth and Merna Pace."
  23. 1 2 "The Dark Hours, Passion Play, at the Maryland This Week; Drama by Don Marquis Billed by University Group; Barbaras O'Neill; Joshua Logan, Bretaigne Windust and Frieda Altman". The Baltimore Sun. March 13, 1932. p. 37. "Miss O'Neill [sic] will be Procla, the wife of Pilate, in the play by Don Marquis to be given by the University Players at the Maryland this week. Mr Logan has the part of Pilate, Mr. Windust that of Judas Iscariot, and Miss Altman that of Mary Magdalene."
  24. ↑ R., A. C. (July 13, 1932). "Falmouth Sees Costume Drama; Theater Unit Portrays Life 150 Years Ago". The Evening Standard. p. 7.
  25. 1 2 "Your Seven-Day Television Guide: Thursday, June 5". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. June 1, 1952. p. . "12:00-LIGHTS OUT. Patsy Bruder, child actress, and Frieda Altman have the leads in "Little Girl," story of a near-tragedy for a 12-yearold girl (NBC-film)."
  26. 1 2 Stretch, Bud (May 19, 1952). "Air Waves". Camden Courier-Post. p. 18. "The child, Alice (played by Patsy Bruder), has come to live with her two elderly aunts. Aunt Hannah (Frieda Altman) has been grieving for another little girl who disappeared many years ago. She insists at first that Alice is the missing girl, Lydia. Later, while browsing through the attic, Alice discovers a secret in Aunt Hannah's past and finds her own life in danger."
  27. 1 2 Russell, Fred H. (November 10, 1967). "Video To Cover Beauty Show Tomorrow; Jewish Drama". The Bridgeport Post. p. 51. "A drama based on the life Israel Friedlaender, 'The Book and the Window,' will be presented by "Eternal Light" on Channel 4 at 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. [...] Brois Tumarin will portray Friedlaender, and Frieda Altman will be his wife. Michael Baseleon will play the young rabbi, Douglas Watson will be the orator."
  28. 1 2 "Sunday, November 19: Morning". TV Guide. November 18, 1967. p. A-25. "Boris Tumarin, a veteran of religious dramas, stars in the story of Polish-born Israel Friedlaender. [...] Cantor: Michael Baseleon. Adler: Guy Sorel. Narrator: Douglas Watson. Rabbi: Roger DeKoven. Pinchas: Albert E. Ottenheimer. Lillian: Frieda Altman. Scholar: William Myers. Man: George Bartenieff. Captain: James Dukas."
  29. 1 2 Morrison, Hobe (November 9, 1971). "Broadway Beat". The Herald-News. p. 9. "Lois Holmes has succeeded Frieda Altman in the role of the housekeeper in the CBS-TV daytime serial, 'Search for Tomorrow.' Miss Altman has gone to Europe."
  30. ↑ "Miss Altman Wed To B. F. Gamzue At Brookline". Holyoke Transcript-Telegram. September 6, 1933. p. 5. "The marriage of Miss Frieda Altman, daughter of Mrs. S. Altman of son Brooklne, of Mr. to and Mrs. Benjamin David B. Gamzue, of Nonotuck street, took place, Sunday, Sept. 3rd, at is the a bride's graduate home. Miss Altman is a graduate of Wellesley college and is interested in dramatics, having been associated with Jane Cowl in her various productions this past summer. Mr. Gamzue is [...] now instructor of English and Literature at New York university, Mr. and Mrs. Gamzue will make their home at 690 Riverside Drive, New York City."
  31. ↑ "New York, New York City, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940–1947", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WHSP-H7MM : Sat Apr 12 17:01:24 UTC 2025), Entry for Benjamin Gamzue and New York University, 15 Feb 1942.
  32. ↑ "Deaths: GAMZUE". The New York Times. September 19, 1993. p. A19. ProQuest 109218248. Benjamin B. On February 16, 1993. Beloved husband of Frieda. Dear brother and uncle. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 19, 2:30PM at 'The Riverside,' 76th St and Amsterdam Avenue, NYC.
  33. ↑ Willis, John (2004). Theatre World, Vol. 58. New York : Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 277. ISBN 1-55783-625-6. "Frieda Altman Gamzue, 97, Boston, MA-born actress, died Jan. 14, 2002. Broadway credits include Another Language, followed by Counsellor-at-Law, Carry Nation, We the People, Hilda Cassidy, Picnic, Spring Song, Paradise Lost, Timber House, Days to Come, Marching Song, Your Obedient Husband, Pastoral, Gabrielle, Guest in the House, Ah, Wilderness, Hickory Stick, Days to Come, A joy Forever, Little Brown Jug, The Naked Genius, Land’s End, The Wanhope Building, Strange Bedfellows, The Young and Fair, Hilda Crane, The Southwest Corner, The Waltz of the Toreadors, The Visit, Cheri, and A Distant Bell."
  34. ↑ "Paid Notice: Deaths". The New York Times. January 16, 2002. p. 16. ProQuest 431966470. GAMZUE–Frieda (nee Altman. Died peacefully Monday, January 14 at the age of 97. Beloved wife of the late Boris, dear sister of the late Ruth, Sid, and Nathaniel. Adored aunt of Steve, Nelson, Roger, Kip, Stephen, and Davis. Member of Actors Equity. Memorial service to be held Thursday, 2PM at 'The Riverside,' 76th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
  35. ↑ Bower, Helen C. (October 28, 1941). "Harry Carey Starred with 'Wilderness'". Detroit Free Press. October 28, 1941. p. 11.
  36. ↑ "Freida Altman (Performer)". Playbill. "Roles (1): Counsellor-at-Law (Opened November 24, 1942). As Goldie Rindskopf (Original)"
  37. ↑ "Nancy Kelly Featured In 'Guest In The House' At Holyoke Theatre". Holyoke Transcript and Telegram. January 20, 1943. p. 14. "Honorable mention goes to Frieda Altman as Miss Rhodes, a reporter who gets loose in the Proctor home, on the pretense of representing a magazine featuring model homes. Although her part was very small, she gave it all she had, and was rewarded with a good hand from the audience."
  38. ↑ Cox, J. Randolph (2005). Flashgun Casey, Crime Photographer : From the Pulps to Radio and Beyond. Yorktown Heights, NY : Book Hunter Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-891379-05-5. "Cast: James Westerfield, Tom Gorman, George Mitchell, Virginia Robinson, Frieda Altman, Adelaide Bean and Paul Keyes."
  39. ↑ "Talent Showsheet – May 2-11, 1952: Wednesday, May 7". Ross Reports on Television. May 4–10, 1952. p. 9. "Death Of A Wax Doll - by B. Loring; with Butch Cavell, Richard Purdy, Reba Tassel, Frieda Altman"
  40. ↑ "Talent Showsheet: Monday, May 19" Ross Reports on Television. May 18–24, 1952. p. 8. "NBC 9pm Little Girl - by Douglass Parkhirst; with Patsy Bruder, Betty Lou Keim, Kathleen Comegys, Frieda Altman"
  41. ↑ "Tuesday, May 31: Evening". TV Guide. May 28, 1955. p. A-29. "Gertrude Berg stars in 'Mind over Momma,' which she wrote in collaboration with James Yaffe. A crisis occurs in the life of a middle-class Jewish family when the young daughter announces she can't go through with her coming marriage. The psychiatrist she consults tells the girl her problem: too much Momma. Sidney Lumet directs [...] Sadie Mandel: Frieda Altman."
  42. ↑ "Talent Showsheet and Script Report - Jan 6 – Jan 12: Wednesday January 8". Ross Reports on Television. January 6, 1958. p. B. "The Complex Mummy Complex: (O) Abram Ginnes; with Harry Townes, Julia Meade, James Broderick, Pat England, Lois Nettleton, Freida Altman, Arnle Freeman, John Fiedler, Bob Carroll, Susanne Stoors, Richard Kelly, Joey Walsh; Dir - William Corrigan."
  43. ↑ bingojohn01 (November 24, 2022). "'A Memory of Crying' closing credits". YouTube.
  44. ↑ bingojohn01, op. cit., "'A Memory of Crying': Altman's scene with Luther Adler". YouTube. Also see:
  45. ↑ "Hoodlums Capture Subway Riders In Show Of Week". The Taylorville Daily Breeze Courier. November 30, 1963. p. 14. "Gregory Rozakis and Tony Musante will play the hoodlums, Connors and Ferrone, respectively. Mart Hulswit will portray the courageous soldier, and the other captives will include Vincent Gardenia, John Connell, Gene Hackman, Loretta Leversee, Ron Leibman, Frieda Altman, and Louise Troy."

Further reading