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Steven Loomis, IC3
to remember
Lembeck, Harvey, S1c.
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Contact Info
Home Town Brooklyn NY
Last Address Los Angeles, California
Date of Passing Jan 05, 1982
Location of Interment Eden Memorial Park Cemetery - Mission Hills, California
HARVEY LEMBECK
U.S. NAVY WWII
"You're in the Navy Now" as Seaman Norelli
Harvey Lembeck (April 15, 1923 – January 5, 1982), was class president and graduated with the Class of 1941 from New Utrecht High School, Brooklyn, NY. He was an American comedic actor best remembered for his role as Cpl. Rocco Barbella on The Phil Silvers Show (a.k.a. Sgt. Bilko) in the late 1950s, and as the stumbling, overconfident outlaw biker Eric Von Zipper in the beach party movie series during the 1960s. He also turned in noteworthy performances in both the stage and screen versions of Stalag 17. He was the father of actor/director Michael Lembeck and actress Helaine Lembec.
Born in Brooklyn, Lembeck started his career in high school, as a dancer at the 1939/40 New York World's Fair. He was one half of an exhibition dance team known as The Dancing Carols. His partner, Caroline Dubs, would become his wife. The son of a Brooklyn button manufacturer, Lembeck yearned for a career as a radio sports announcer. Following his discharge from the naval service at the end of World War II in 1945, he attended New York University, obtaining a BA degree in radio arts in 1947. However, he chose the stage as a career upon the advice of one of his instructors, Prof. Robert Emerson, who had seen him perform in college plays.
Other Comments:
Lembeck, Harvey N, Service Number 7694375
Some background notes state that during World War II Harvey Lembeck served in the US Army, the Marine Corps and the Navy. Although Harvey Lembeck is most often listed as serving in the US Army, the best evidence is a newspaper clipping from the Brooklyn Eagle dated Thursday, Dec. 20, 1945. It shows Lembeck in a Navy uniform and says he served in the submarine service aboard the USS S-34 (SS-139).
Records show the USS S-34 (SS-139) returned from seven war patrols to San Diego in July 1943 and spent the rest of the war providing training, which is the most likely period for Mr. Lembeck to be aboard the submarine.
In the 1947 stage production of "Mr. Roberts" Harvey Lembeck was the first to be cast, playing Seaman Sam Insigna. He was given preference for the part bacause of his WWII Military Service.
