Joe Ploski

Joe Ploski
Ploski in Man with a Camera, 1958
Born
Joseph Henry Ploski

(1904-04-16)April 16, 1904
Poland
DiedMay 17, 1993(1993-05-17) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationsFilm and television actor
Years active1932–1970

Joseph Henry Ploski (April 16, 1904 – May 17, 1993) was a Polish-born American film and television actor. He was known for his appearance in the 1953 film Stalag 17, starring William Holden, Don Taylor, and Otto Preminger.

Life and career

Ploski was born in Poland. Initially working as a mess-hall cook in the United States Army during World War II, saving his money to attend at a drama school. He performed in vaudeville in Hollywood, California, and was a straight man for comedian Joe E. Lewis. He made his Broadway debut in 1932, appearing in the Broadway play The Great Magoo, playing Dummy Nolan. He worked in New York with Imogene Coca and Danny Kaye.

Ploski began his screen career in 1936, appearing in the film Lady Be Careful. He then appeared in the films There Goes My Heart and Romance in the Dark. Over the years, he appeared in over 200 films including Dr. Broadway, The Dark Corner, The Reckless Moment, and Experiment Alcatraz, Guys and Dolls, The Court Jester, The Buster Keaton Story, Jailhouse Rock, Never Steal Anything Small, The Rat Race, To Kill a Mockingbird, Seven Days in May and Divorce American Style. He also appeared in numerous television programs including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Tales of Wells Fargo, Wagon Train, The Fugitive, 77 Sunset Strip, The Twilight Zone, and Perry Mason. His final credit was in the 1970 film Airport.

Death

Ploski died on May 17, 1993, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 89.

Selected filmography

References

  1. ↑ Leonard, William (1981), "Theatre: Stage to Screen to Television: Volume 2", University of Michigan, Scarcrow Press, p. 1475
  2. ↑ "Div. Mess Hall Rocks With Mirth At Antics of Cook". Appeal-Democrat. Marysville, California. March 17, 1943. p. 5. Retrieved September 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ↑ "Joe Ploski Makes Good". The Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota. December 28, 1932. p. 4. Retrieved September 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ↑ "Joe Ploski". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Reunion for Kaye-Ploski On Set of 'Happy Times'". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. November 22, 1948. p. 16. Retrieved September 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ↑ Willis, John (June 1966), Screen World, 1966, Biblio-Moser, p. 70, ISBN 9780819603074
  7. ↑ "Joe Ploski". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2022.