Wanamaker, Sam (1919–1993)

US actor and director. He was the founder of, and driving force in, the project to build an authentic replica of William Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in its original location on the south bank of the River Thames, London.

As an actor Wanamaker appeared in many films, including Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965) and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1966), and directed several films, including Catlow (1971). His opera productions include Michael Tippett's King Priam at Covent Garden, London, 1962 and Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace at the Sydney Opera House, Australia (1973).

Wanamaker was born in Chicago, Illinois and educated at Drake University, Iowa. He appeared on Broadway both before and after World War II, when he served in the US Marine Corps. He went to London in 1952, during the Joe McCarthy era of right-wing persecution, to make the film Give Us This Day, and stayed. He was a dynamic actor, especially in US plays, and a brilliant director. In 1956 he starred in the N Richard Nash (1911–1990) comedy The Rainmaker and directed Bertolt Brecht's The Threepenny Opera at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

Although Wanamaker was not a notable Shakespearean actor, his devotion to Shakespeare and his determination, despite considerable opposition, to see the world's most famous theatre rebuilt, opposite St Paul's Cathedral, have ensured his own fame.