ACTOR · BORN 1915 · DIED 2014
Eli Wallach
- Born
- 7 December 1915, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Died
- 24 June 2014
- Known for
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), Mystic River (2003), The Godfather Part III (1990), The Holiday (2006)
50 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
13 Facts About Eli Wallach's Life and Family
- #006
A stroke Eli Wallach suffered in his later years caused permanent damage to his left eye, and he lost the sight in it. Nevertheless, thanks to his passion for acting and his perseverance, he continued his career. This health problem shows that he had the will not to give up his art despite physical difficulties.
- #008
After failing a teaching exam in New York, Eli Wallach won a scholarship that changed the direction of his life and was accepted into the Neighborhood Playhouse. At this school, from which he graduated in 1940, he trained in the same class as future stars such as Gregory Peck, Lorne Greene and Tony Randall. This period was one of the most important steps in Wallach's acting career.
- #009
Eli Wallach died of natural causes at his home in Manhattan in 2014. The veteran actor, who lived to the age of 98, served the worlds of film and theater for more than sixty years. His death left his loved ones in mourning, while he left behind unforgettable characters and a unique legacy.
- #010
Eli Wallach formed a friendship of more than 70 years with the famous news anchor Walter Cronkite; the two had met as students at the University of Texas in Austin. After Cronkite's death, Wallach was among the audience at the memorial held at Lincoln Center and was remembered at that meaningful event. This long-lasting friendship shows Wallach's loyalty in his personal relationships.
- #016
Eli Wallach grew up as the only Jewish family living in an entirely Italian neighborhood, and he later became famous for an Italian western. As an interesting coincidence, the surname 'Wallach' comes from the same Old German root as 'Wlochy,' the word Poland uses for Italy. This shows how intertwined the cultural diversity in his life and his film career were.
- #017
When Eli Wallach began his service as a new officer in the army, he carried out the tradition of giving a dollar to the first soldier who saluted him. This moment remained in his memory as one of his favorite recollections. The tradition was one of the small but meaningful rituals of military life and shows how much Wallach valued this experience.
- #018
One of Eli Wallach's most unforgettable roles was the lead bandit Calvera in 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960). Although his character is defeated in the film, Wallach outlived six of the other seven stars; only Robert Vaughn, who died in 2016, lived longer than he did. This stands out as an indication of Wallach's long and healthy life.
- #020
Eli Wallach had one brother and two sisters, and all three chose the teaching profession. The emphasis on education in Wallach's family was reflected in his own academic career, illustrating the family's intellectual background and the environment in which he was raised.
- #024
In an interview with Terry Gross on the program 'Fresh Air', Eli Wallach said he learned to ride horses at the University of Texas, where he worked with polo ponies. During the shooting of 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960), he rode every morning with his gang. This experience contributed to his natural horseback riding scenes in western films.
- #026
Although Eli Wallach was known for playing Mexican characters in four different western films, he was in fact a Polish Jew with no Spanish ancestry. This shows how successful he was as a character actor, and he stood out for his ability to portray different ethnic backgrounds convincingly.
- #031
Eli Wallach had three children with his wife Anne Jackson: his son Peter Wallach and his daughters Katherine Wallach and Roberta Wallach. His family held an important place in his life, and his children also forged their own paths in the art world. Wallach led a balanced life as both a father and an artist.
- #034
Eli Wallach rarely drank alcohol and needed advice to portray the drunkenness scene in 'The Misfits' (1961). This shows his ability to embody a character different from his real-life habits for the sake of a role, and Wallach overcame this challenge through his professionalism as an actor.
- #035
Eli Wallach had five grandchildren and formed strong bonds with his family. His grandchildren were a source of joy to him in the later years of his life, and Wallach led a balanced life in both his career and his family life.
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