Nehemiah Persoff

Nehemiah Persoff (born 2 August 1919) is an American retired actor and painter. He was born in Jerusalem and emigrated to the United States with his family in 1929. After graduating from the Hebrew Technical Institute he found a job as an electrician on the New York City Subway. He soon began to take interest in acting and joined amateur theatre groups. After he had served in the army during World War II, he returned to the stage and eventually started to appear in films.

Due to declining health Persoff had to limit his acting work in 1985 and made only occasional film and television appearances. Eventually he retired from acting entirely, but he picked up painting as a hobby and has ever since created beautiful works of art.

Between 1948 and 1999 Persoff appeared in almost 200 film and television productions, mostly in supporting roles. In Some Like It Hot, Persoff played one of his most famous roles as mafia boss Little Bonaparte, which was a parody of the Italian dictator Mussolini. His film and television credits include Twins, Columbo, Hawaii Five-O, Law & Order, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Murder, She Wrote.

One month ago I sent a letter, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a photo to be signed and today I received it back.

Address used:

Nehemiah Persoff
5670 Moonstone Beach Dr.
Cambria, CA 93428
USA

Sent: 25 April 2021
Received: 26 May 2021

Nehemiah Persoff as Palor Toff in Star Trek: The Next Generation
personalized autograph

Signed photo next to the envelope I received