Jack Albertson was an American character actor who also performed in vaudeville. A comedian, dancer, singer and musician, Albertson is known for his roles as John Cleary in The Subject Was Roses , for which he received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka amp the Chocolate Factory Manny Rosen in The Poseidon Adventure and Ed Brown in the television sitcom Chico and the Man . For his contributions to the television industry, Albertson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6253 Hollywood Boulevard.
Jack Albertson was born on June 16, 1907, in Malden, Massachusetts, the son of Russianborn Jewish immigrants Flora and Leopold Albertson. His older sister was actress Mabel Albertson. Albertsons mother, a stock actress, supported the family by working in a shoe factory. Until at least the age of 22, Albertson was known as Harold Albertson.
Source: Wikipedia