Actor. Russian-born character player of Hollywood films. The son of a celebrated Odessa cantor, he began his acting career at 14. In 1927, during a European tour with the Moscow Art Theatre, he defected to Germany and made his screen debut in "Der Erste Kuss" (1928). With the rise of Hitler he fled to Paris and then to New York City. After several hardscrabble years, during which he supported himself as a dishwasher and bill collector between acting gigs, he settled in Hollywood in 1940. Rasumny appeared in some 50 films, playing Russians and other ethnic types. His most memorable role was as Gypsy Rafael in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1943). His other credits include "Comrade X" (1940), "Hold Back the Dawn" (1941), "The Shanghai Gesture" (1941), "This Gun for Hire" (1942), "Wake Island" (1942), "Road to Morocco" (1942), "A Medal for Benny" (1945), "Anna and the King of Siam" (1946), "Song of My Heart" (1948), "The Kissing Bandit" (1948), "Anything Can Happen" (1952), and "Hot Blood" (1956). He was also active in television. Rasumny died at the Motion Picture Country Home.
Actor. Russian-born character player of Hollywood films. The son of a celebrated Odessa cantor, he began his acting career at 14. In 1927, during a European tour with the Moscow Art Theatre, he defected to Germany and made his screen debut in "Der Erste Kuss" (1928). With the rise of Hitler he fled to Paris and then to New York City. After several hardscrabble years, during which he supported himself as a dishwasher and bill collector between acting gigs, he settled in Hollywood in 1940. Rasumny appeared in some 50 films, playing Russians and other ethnic types. His most memorable role was as Gypsy Rafael in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1943). His other credits include "Comrade X" (1940), "Hold Back the Dawn" (1941), "The Shanghai Gesture" (1941), "This Gun for Hire" (1942), "Wake Island" (1942), "Road to Morocco" (1942), "A Medal for Benny" (1945), "Anna and the King of Siam" (1946), "Song of My Heart" (1948), "The Kissing Bandit" (1948), "Anything Can Happen" (1952), and "Hot Blood" (1956). He was also active in television. Rasumny died at the Motion Picture Country Home.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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