 Pichel moved to Los Angeles where he studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.It was there that Pichel achieved considerable acclaim as the title character in the landmark Pasadena Playhouse production of Eugene O'Neill's play "Lazarus Laughed" in 1927.Two years later, when the studios were hiring any theater-trained actors suitable for talkies, he was signed to a contract with Paramount.