Background
Tamara Shayne was born in Permanent, Russia, to the family of a Jewish actor Veniamin Olkenitsky-Nikulin (ru) (Benjamin Nikulin). Her older brother was the actor Konstantin Shayne.
Tamara Shayne was born in Permanent, Russia, to the family of a Jewish actor Veniamin Olkenitsky-Nikulin (ru) (Benjamin Nikulin). Her older brother was the actor Konstantin Shayne.
On Broadway Shayne appeared in The Cherry Orchard, Judgment Day and These Few Ashes. Her first role (uncredited) in an American film was in Ninotchka (1939) as Anna, the cellist roommate in Moscow of the lead character played by Greta Garbo. Shayne is possibly best remembered as Moma Yoelson in The Jolson Story (1946) and Jolson Sings Again (1949), though Shayne appeared in nearly two dozen films from 1934 to 1961.
Shayne remained married to Akim Tamiroff until his death in 1972, and she retired at that time.
She died from complications following a heart attack. Northwest Outpost (1947).