Mark Russell (actor)

Last updated
Mark Russell
Born (1933-11-12) November 12, 1933 (age 90)
Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1959–1985

Mark Russell (born November 12, 1933) [1] is an American former film and television actor. [2] He is perhaps best known for playing Detective Saperstein in the American crime drama television series Kojak . [1]

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, [1] Russell was raised in Brooklyn, New York. He later moved to California. [3] He began his career in 1959, where he first appeared in the western television series Bonanza . Russell guest-starred in numerous television programs including The Fugitive , 12 O'Clock High , The Time Tunnel , Batman , Hogan's Heroes , Adam-12 , Mission: Impossible , Land of the Giants , Ironside , Star Trek: The Original Series , Dragnet 1967, Emergency! , Quincy, M.E. , The Odd Couple and Mannix . [1]

Russell was originally a stand-in for actor Telly Savalas, who played the main role of Lieutenant Theo Kojak. His character, Detective Saperstein, was then created, and he won the role. [3] He also appeared on films such as The Errand Boy , Hangup , Captain Newman, M.D. , Viva Las Vegas , Not with My Wife, You Don't , The Comic , Girl Happy , How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying , Youngblood Hawke , The Notorious Landlady , Blume in Love , How to Murder Your Wife , Get to Know Your Rabbit , Warning Shot and Moving Violation .

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Mark Russell". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  2. "Letters to the editor". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. May 19, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved January 31, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  3. 1 2 "The supporting players on 'Kojak' are the best-known unknowns on TV". Daily News . New York, New York. December 4, 1977. p. 809. Retrieved January 31, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Closed Access logo transparent.svg