Al Sklar, 83, San Diego actor
wazzzy
Al Sklar was a part-time actor who worked a full-time acting career
into his busy schedule.
Mr. Sklar operated a neon-sign company during the day but found a way
to star in dozens of theater productions during the 1960s, '70s, '80s
and '90s in San Diego.
"There was a time he seemed to be everywhere," said Welton Jones,
former theater critic for The San Diego Union-Tribune. "In his era,
there was nobody bigger in San Diego theater."
Mr. Sklar died June 15 at his home in Sun City West, Ariz., from
complications of pulmonary disease. He was 83 and had moved from La
Mesa four years ago because of his illness.
In San Diego, he performed in productions as varied as "The Sunshine
Boys," "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Odd Couple," "Guys and Dolls" and
"Kiss Me, Kate" at theaters such as the Old Globe, Starlight Opera,
the Circle Arts, the Fiesta Dinner Theatre and the Welk Resort
Theatre.
"He was a fine actor, but he also had this great singing voice," said
Frank Wayne, former producing director of the Fiesta Dinner Theatre
and artistic director of the Welk Resort Theatre. "That gave him an
advantage over others. I could have put him in a dozen other shows
through the years, but he had the sign business and he just couldn't
work all the time."
Mr. Sklar demonstrated uncommon energy levels at times. He was known
to work an eight-hour shift, nap in the late afternoon, eat dinner and
head to the theater for a show that night. Occasionally, he would do
seven shows a week while holding down a full-time job.
Mr. Sklar was born Feb. 2, 1924, in Philadelphia to parents who had
emigrated from Russia. His father was a carpenter and part-time actor
with the Yiddish Theatre in Philadelphia.
"I think Al was born to act," said his wife, Barbara. "I don't think
there was a moment of his life when he didn't want to be an actor."
Mr. Sklar joined the Army Air Forces during World War II and became
one of the few white instructors at a Florida air base who trained
black aviators to be aerial gunners.
At the time, the Army was segregated, and Mr. Sklar said in 2005 that
he hoped the gunners he taught and their war experience helped to
break down the Army's segregation policy.
In 1947, he moved to Los Angeles and started a neon-sign business; 12
years later he moved to San Diego.
Mr. Sklar distinguished himself in his first performance in San Diego,
a 1962 production of "The Music Man" at the Starlight Opera.
He worked regularly and was one of the first actors in San Diego to
join Actors' Equity, the union for stage actors.
"I told him that if he got an Equity card, it would be very hard to
get a job in San Diego, but he was determined to get it," Wayne said.
Mr. Sklar still got jobs and held his union membership as one of his
most important achievements, his wife said.
"He believed that actors should be paid as professionals for the work
they did," she said. "That's why he wanted to join the union."
Barbara Sklar said her husband was immensely proud of being a union
member.
Earl Cantos, former president of the Starlight Opera, remembers Mr.
Sklar as an inspiring actor who made everyone around him feel better.
"He was one of those people you meet in life who just exuded the joy
of living," Cantos said. "He was a pleasure to be around, and
everybody in the crew enjoyed having him around."
Mr. Sklar is survived by his wife, Barbara; and daughter, Ruth Enyeart
of Estero Beach, Baja California.
A memorial service and burial were held June 18 at El Camino Memorial
Park in Sorrento Valley.
The family suggests donations to The Actors Fund, 729 Seventh Ave.,
10th Floor, New York, NY 10019; or the House of Rachel, care of
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, 349 Cedar St., San Diego, CA
92101.
25th Century Quaker
> Al Sklar was a part-time actor who worked a full-time acting career
> into his busy schedule.
Any relation of guitarist/bandleader Lee Sklar or the twin show
business brothers, Jason and whatever the other one's name?
--
seek electricity