If you watched Inglourious Basterds, I am sure that the name Gerold Hirschberg (played by Samm Levine) still rings a bell, right? Hirschberg was that Jewish-American soldier, the one that was part of The Basterds, seen along with the other Basterds in the garrison yard when Aldo Raine addressed them.
That amazing character was portrayed by one of Hollywood’s most talented actors Samm Levine. Before earning a role in Inglourious Basterds, he had gained fame and popularity starring on NBC’s short-lived TV series Freak and Geeks.
He has also appeared on the internet talk show – Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show and Josh in an episode of ABC’s Modern Family titled “Hit and Run.”
Samm Levine Biography
The multi-talented actor was born on the 12th day of March 1982 in Chicago to Harris and Lynne Levine as Samuel Franklin Levine. Samm was raised in Fort Lee, New Jersey. His father was a mortgage broker and his mother a dentist.
Although he was born in the U.S, his ethnicity is Jewish. Information regarding his educational background is unknown.
Career
Asides from acting, not many know Samm Levine as a comedian, but he really is a comedian and began his career at the age of twelve(12) doing stand-up comedy at bars before he eventually transitioned into acting.
Samm who had to add an extra M to his name to be differentiated from another Sam Levine already registered with the Screen Actors Guild was so good at comedy that after watching him perform, comedian and actress advised him to start auditioning in Manhattan, soon enough, he landed a role on the TV series Freaks and Geeks in 1999. Though short-lived, the series was a huge success and boasted Levine’s popularity.
Following the success of the series, he was again featured in yet another praised series, Undeclared. His first film debut was in 2001 when he starred in Not Another Teen Movie. In 2014, he was voted 99th in VH1’s Top 100 Child Stars.
In 2009, he starred in the Inglourious Basterds, alongside Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, etc. The movie was written and directed by Oscar-winning Quentin Tarantino.
Speaking about how he got the role as PFC Gerold Hirschberg in Inglourious Basterds, Samm who is a huge fan of Tarantino, said before Tarantino began casting for the movie, he was to have some sort of general meeting with actors, he (Samm) called to inquire about the criteria for getting a meeting and Tarantino said: “you have to be a Jewish”. So I called my people and said, look, there’s never been a more perfect fit– get me into that room,” and the rest is history, Samm Levine did get a role in that movie and did excellently well.
He added that working on the same set with the likes of Quentin and Pitt was like a dream come true for him as he has been a huge fan of Pitt since he was about 12 years old and having to recite Quentin’s words and getting to work with him on a scene is an experience he will never forget.
Samm has starred in over sixty movies and TV series which include Jobs, Promoted, Sydney White, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, Made for Each Other, Pulse, Drones, Club Dread, among many more.
Where is Samm Levine Now?
Samm Levine has been very much around, recently he has made appearances in some comedy series like Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later and I’m Poppy.
He is also a regular competitor on Collider’s Movie Trivia Schmoe down. In December 2017, he won the singles championship and in May 2018, he also won the team championship – making him the first competitor to ever hold both titles simultaneously.
Other Facts
- Samm has once dated web creator and comedian Gaby Dunn but presently, he is single.
- Though his salary is unknown, his net worth is currently put at $2million.
- The former child actor stands at a height of 5ft 4inches ((1.63 m).
- His hair and his eyes are both blacks.
- He was once the youngest member of the New York Friars Club.
- Samm has remained a co-host and producer of Kevin Pollak’s talk show, Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show from 2009 till date.
- Samm has also been a regular face on Doug Benson Doug Loves Movies.
