Tamara Shayne

Who was Tamara Shayne?

Tamara Shayne was a Russian-born actress long resident in the United States.

Born in Perm, Russia, Shayne appeared in European films before migrating to the United States in 1929 with her future husband, the actor Akim Tamiroff; the couple married in 1932. On Broadway Shayne appeared in The Cherry Orchard, Judgment Day and These Few Ashes.

Her first role in an American film was in Ninotchka as Anna, the cellist room mate in Moscow of the lead character played by Greta Garbo. Shayne is possibly best remembered as Moma Yoelson in The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again, though Shayne appeared in nearly two dozen films from 1934 to 1961. Tamara Shayne, the sister of actor Konstantin Shayne, was married to Akim Tamiroff until his death in 1972, and retired then. She died from complications following a heart attack.