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Nehemiah Persoff

About

Nehemiah Persoff (1919-2022) was an Israeli-born American actor who became one of the busiest character players of Hollywood's golden age after emigrating to the United States as a child. Over a 55-year career he appeared in more than 200 film and television roles, ranging from tough gangsters in Some Like It Hot (1959) and On the Waterfront (1954) to the gentle father in Yentl (1983) and the voice of Papa Mousekewitz in the animated An American Tail (1986). After retiring from acting he devoted himself to watercolor painting, and in 2021 published his memoir The Many Faces of Nehemiah. He died on April 5, 2022, aged 102.

200+
roles in films, TV series and theatrical plays
55
years of active acting career (1948-2003)
102
years of age at death (April 5, 2022)
100+
watercolor paintings created after leaving acting

What's new

  • 2022-04

    Nehemiah Persoff died on April 5, 2022, at the age of 102 from heart failure in San Luis Obispo, California.

  • 2022-04

    After his death, paintings from his estate were auctioned off through the SLO Cal Estate Auctions portal.

  • 2021-07

    In July 2021, Persoff, at the age of 101, published his memoirs The Many Faces of Nehemiah.

  • 2021

    In 2021, his wife Thia Persov died after 69 years of marriage.

Tracks

Some Like It Hot (1959)role of Chicago boss Little Bonaparte alongside Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis
On the Waterfront (1954)taxi driver in the famous scene with Marlon Brando - "I coulda been a contender"
The Untouchables (1959-1963)recurring role of gangster Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik in the cult series
Yentl (1983)Rebbe Mendel, father of Barbra Streisand - one of his most famous late roles
An American Tail (1986)voice of Papa Mousekewitz in the animated hit by Don Bluth

😴 Nothing scheduled with this artist in the near future.

Past · 1

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