--- name: "Nehemiah Persoff" canonical: "https://film.one/person/nehemiah-persoff" fi1m_id: "nehemiah-persoff" imdb_id: "nm0675490" tmdb_id: 3160 wikidata_id: "Q918369" roles: ["Actor"] born: "2 August 1919" died: "5 April 2022" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-04T20:19:56.018779+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Nehemiah Persoff ## Identity Nehemiah Persoff - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/nehemiah-persoff - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** nehemiah-persoff - **IMDb ID:** nm0675490 - **TMDB ID:** 3160 - **Wikidata ID:** Q918369 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehemiah_Persoff, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q918369, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675490/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3160 Actor. Born 2 August 1919 in Jerusalem, Palestine Mandate. Died 5 April 2022. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 2 August 1919, Jerusalem, Palestine Mandate - **Died:** 5 April 2022 - **Active:** 1956–1988 - **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 5 acting, 2 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 88 (3), 1980s 67 (3), 2000s 83 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 66 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 3, Drama 3, Crime 2, Romance 2, Adventure 1, Animation 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $359m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehemiah_Persoff, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q918369, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675490/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3160 ## Streaming the US now - **The Roku Channel:** [*Some Like It Hot*](https://film.one/film/some-like-it-hot.md) (92) - **HBO Max:** [*The Wrong Man*](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md) (83) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Yentl*](https://film.one/film/yentl.md) (65) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Biography Nehemiah Persoff was an American actor and painter. Born in Jerusalem in 1919, he emigrated with his family to the United States in 1929. He attended the Hebrew Technical Institute in New York and worked as a subway electrician before serving in the US Army during the Second World War. After the war he pursued acting in New York theatre and joined the Actors Studio in 1947. His film roles include an uncredited cab driver in *On the Waterfront* (1954), Little Bonaparte in *Some Like It Hot* (1959), Rebbe Mendel in *Yentl* (1983), and the voice of Papa Mousekewitz in *An American Tail* (1986). He appeared in numerous television series including *The Untouchables*, *The Twilight Zone*, *Columbo* and *Star Trek: The Next Generation*. In the mid-1980s he began painting watercolours. Persoff retired from acting in the late 1990s. He died in San Luis Obispo, California, in 2022. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, hollywoodreporter.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) ### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these - *Twins* (1988), Fi1m 64, as Mitchell Traven — [page](https://film.one/film/twins.md) - *An American Tail* (1986), Fi1m 71, as Papa Mousekewitz (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-tail.md) - *Yentl* (1983), Fi1m 65, as Rebbe Mendel — [page](https://film.one/film/yentl.md) - *Some Like It Hot* (1959), Fi1m 92, as Little Bonaparte — [page](https://film.one/film/some-like-it-hot.md) - *The Wrong Man* (1956), Fi1m 83, as Gene Conforti — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md) ### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Angels in America* (2003), Fi1m 83, as Rabbi (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md) - *On the Waterfront* (1954), Fi1m 89, as Cab Driver (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/on-the-waterfront.md) ## Complete filmography (170) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Angels in America* (2003), series, as Rabbi (uncredited) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md) - *4 Faces* (2001), Actor - *An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster* (1999), as Papa Mousekewitz (voice) - *An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island* (1998), as Papa Mousekewitz (voice) - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Rabbi Ben Taubler - *An American Tail: Fievel Goes West* (1991), as Papa Mousekewitz (voice) - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as David Steinmetz — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Doogie Howser, M.D.* (1989), series, as Max Wernick - *Twins* (1988), as Mitchell Traven — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/twins.md) - *The Last Temptation of Christ* (1988), as Rabbi - *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Toff — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md) - *J.J. Starbuck* (1987), series, Actor - *An American Tail* (1986), as Papa Mousekewitz (voice) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-tail.md) - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Rabbi Isadore Glickman - *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Sam Bolinski - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Constantin Stavros - *Highway to Heaven* (1984), series, Actor - *Hunter* (1984), series, as Harold Goodman - *Yentl* (1983), as Rebbe Mendel — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/yentl.md) - *Scarecrow and Mrs. King* (1983), series, Actor - *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Marcus Hoff - *St. Helens* (1982), as Mr. Ellison - *O'Hara's Wife* (1982), as Dr. Fischer - *Magnum, P.I.* (1980), series, as Rabbi Asher Solomon - *Turnover Smith* (1980), as Ashmed Amad - *The Henderson Monster* (1980), as Prof. Leo Tedeschi - *F.D.R.: The Last Year* (1980), as Josef Stalin - *Condominium* (1980), series, as Conlaw - *B.A.D. Cats* (1980), series, Actor - *The French Atlantic Affair* (1979), series, as Col. Schreiner - *The Facts of Life* (1979), series, Actor - *In Search of Historic Jesus* (1979), as Herod Antipas - *A Cry for Justice* (1979), as Dr. Burke - *The Rebels* (1979), series, as Baron Von Steuben - *Supertrain* (1979), series, as Max - *Daniel in the Lions' Den* (1978), as Malimar - *The Word* (1978), series, as Abbot Petropolous - *Vega$* (1978), series, Actor - *Battlestar Galactica* (1978), series, as Eastern Alliance Leader - *A Double Life* (1978), Actor - *Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women* (1978), as Charles Frohman - *Killing Stone* (1978), as Earl Stone - *Fantasy Island* (1978), series, as Horst Von Stern - *The Making of a President* (1978), Actor - *Logan's Run* (1977), series, as ASA - *Deadly Harvest* (1977), as Mort Logan - *Hunter* (1977), series, as Sheik Farakbi - *The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries* (1977), series, as Vladimir - *Voyage of the Damned* (1976), as Herr Hauser - *Quincy, M.E.* (1976), series, Actor - *Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident* (1976), as Rudenko - *Charlie's Angels* (1976), series, as Anton - *Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II* (1976), series, as Charles Dietrich - *McNaughton's Daughter* (1976), series, as Vinnie Laine - *The Bionic Woman* (1976), series, Actor - *Psychic Killer* (1975), as Doctor Gubner - *Eric* (1975), as Dr. Duchesnes - *Wonder Woman* (1975), series, as Professor Moreno - *Ellery Queen* (1975), series, Actor - *The Invisible Man* (1975), series, as Dr. Leon Barnard - *Barney Miller* (1975), series, as Carl Simms, Yacov Berger - *Baretta* (1975), series, Actor - *The Stranger Within* (1974), as Dr. Edward Klein - *The Sex Symbol* (1974), as Nick Fortis - *Little House on the Prairie* (1974), series, as Mr. Olaf Lundstrom - *The Six Million Dollar Man* (1974), series, as Major Popov - *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor - *Purple Playhouse* (1973), series, as Dr. Van Helsing - *Dracula* (1973), as Dr. Van Helsing - *Cool Million* (1972), series, as Karinakis - *Lieutenant Schuster's Wife* (1972), as Champagne Joe Carroll - *Lapin 360* (1972), Actor - *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, Actor - *Search* (1972), series, Actor - *Michael O'Hara the Fourth* (1972), as Artie Moreno - *McMillan & Wife* (1971), series, as Clementa Habib - *The Chicago Teddy Bears* (1971), series, Actor - *Columbo* (1971), series, as Jesse Jerome — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *Red Sky at Morning* (1971), as Amadeo Montoya - *Mrs. Pollifax — Spy* (1971), as Berisha - *Dan August* (1970), series, as Leo Cussoni - *The People Next Door* (1970), as Dr. Salazar - *McCloud* (1970), series, as Perry Cicero - *Cutter's Trail* (1970), as Santillo - *The Girl Who Knew Too Much* (1969), as Lieutenant Crawford - *Love, American Style* (1969), series, as Mr. Stone - *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969), series, as Max Behrman, Nick Kolinski - *The Bill Cosby Show* (1969), series, as Mr. Byron - *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Harry Cardonus, Winkler, Leo Paoli, Cordell, Victor Palua, Allie Francis - *Escape to Mindanao* (1968), as Capt. Kramer - *The Treasure of San Bosco Reef* (1968), series, as Captain Malcione - *The Treasure of San Bosco Reef* (1968), as Captain Malcione - *Panic in the City* (1968), as August Best - *The Mod Squad* (1968), series, as Nick Master - *Land of the Giants* (1968), series, as Titus - *Adam-12* (1968), series, as Angelo Covelli - *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Ambassador - *The Power* (1968), as Carl Melnicker - *The Day of the Owl* (1968), as Pizzuco - *It Takes a Thief* (1968), series, as Harry Lavender - *The Money Jungle* (1967), as Lt. Dow Reeves - *Mannix* (1967), series, as Anton Wojeska - *The High Chaparral* (1967), series, as Homero José - *The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones* (1966), as Skoda - *CBS Playhouse* (1966), series, as Dr. Salazar - *Too Many Thieves* (1966), as Georgi - *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as Igor Stravos, Phillipe Pereda, Prince Iben Kostas — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) - *Jericho* (1966), series, Actor - *The Time Tunnel* (1966), series, as Prof. Anton Biraki - *Tarzan* (1966), series, as Chembe Kunji - *The Wild Wild West* (1965), series, as Major Hazard, Gen. Andreas Cassinello - *Honey West* (1965), series, as Faustini - *The Big Valley* (1965), series, as General Vicente Ruiz - *The Legend of Jesse James* (1965), series, as El Carnicero - *The Greatest Story Ever Told* (1965), as Shemiah - *Fate Is the Hunter* (1964), as Ben Sawyer - *Gilligan's Island* (1964), series, Actor - *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (1964), series, as Valandros - *A Global Affair* (1964), as Under Secretary Segura - *Mr. Novak* (1963), series, as Henry Selkirk - *Burke's Law* (1963), series, as Jason Flonder, Albert Indigo, 'Mr. I', Wilhelm Kasimer - *The Hook* (1963), as Capt. Van Ryn - *Sam Benedict* (1962), series, Actor - *The Comancheros* (1961), as Graile - *The New Breed* (1961), series, as Louis Morley - *Ben Casey* (1961), series, Actor - *Bus Stop* (1961), series, Actor - *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1961), series, Actor - *The Big Show* (1961), as Bruno Everard - *Route 66* (1960), series, Actor - *Mr. Lucky* (1959), series, Actor - *The Untouchables* (1959), series, as Jake 'Greasy Thumb' Guzik, Johnny Fortunato, Waxey Gordon - *Startime* (1959), series, as Prior Andry - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Carl Lanser — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *The Killers of Mussolini* (1959), as Benito Mussolini - *Day of the Outlaw* (1959), as Dan, Starret's Foreman - *Al Capone* (1959), as Johnny Torrio - *Some Like It Hot* (1959), as Little Bonaparte — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/some-like-it-hot.md) - *Green Mansions* (1959), as Don Panta - *For Whom the Bell Tolls* (1959), as Pablo - *Never Steal Anything Small* (1959), as Pinelli - *Rawhide* (1959), series, as Domingo, Michob - *Naked City* (1958), series, as Barney Peters, Dominic Venussi, Max Evar, Carlos Ruldan, Berco Romanu, Merritt Griffin - *The Badlanders* (1958), as Vincente (The Powder Monkey) - *Shirley Temple's Storybook* (1958), series, as Ali Baba - *This Angry Age* (1957), as Albert Legros - *Wagon Train* (1957), series, as Tiburcio Mendez - *The Death of Manolete* (1957), as Camera - *Street of Sinners* (1957), as Leon - *Men in War* (1957), as Sgt. Lewis - *Mayerling* (1957), as Police Officer - *The Wrong Man* (1956), as Gene Conforti — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md) - *The Wild Party* (1956), as Kicks Johnson - *Playhouse 90* (1956), series, as Pablo, Prisoners Father - *The Harder They Fall* (1956), as Leo - *Playwrights '56* (1955), series, Actor - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Ralph Collins, Jeff Jensen - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Jack Pinto, Mr. Dano, Alex Skouras, Driscoll, Ben Rando, Alejo Etchahoun - *The Thief* (1955), as D'Arnault-Olivier - *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Artie Moreno - *Climax!* (1954), series, as Lieutenant Cal Nourse - *On the Waterfront* (1954), as Cab Driver (uncredited) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/on-the-waterfront.md) - *The Motorola Television Hour* (1953), series, Actor - *The United States Steel Hour* (1953), series, as Dr. Arnault / Oliver - *Marty* (1953), as The Critic - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Dr. Duchesnes - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as Jules Dreise - *Armstrong Circle Theatre* (1950), series, Actor - *The Philco Television Playhouse* (1948), series, as Ed Kagan ## Gallery - ![Nehemiah Persoff](https://film.one/media/person/59237/gallery-85fa85a74b7e.jpg) Nehemiah Persoff — Image via TMDB - ![Nehemiah Persoff](https://film.one/media/person/59237/gallery-18f1bc001a35.jpg) Nehemiah Persoff — Image via TMDB - ![Nehemiah Persoff](https://film.one/media/person/59237/gallery-4fb88b2e3163.jpg) Nehemiah Persoff — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/nehemiah-persoff