Nehemiah Persoff has died, it has been confirmed.
The actor who appeared in the likes of The Twilight Zone and Some Like It Hot, died on Tuesday (April 5) aged 102 at a rehabilitation facility in San Luis Obispo, California.
Nehemiah’s death was confirmed to US outlet Variety by his daughter Dahlia.
The actor was born in Jerusalem, the British Mandate of Palestine in 1919 before moving to America with his family in the 1920s.
However, his career started to take off in the 1940s, shortly after he was drafted to serve in the US Army during World War Two back in 1942.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Con)
After coming out of service in 1945, he was assigned to an acting company that would entertain troops across the globe.
His first role, The Naked City saw him take on the character of the Smiling Man Departing Subway, before stepping into the role of a cab driver in the 1954 film, On The Waterfront.
Persoff retired from acting in 1999 following a stroke as well as other health complications before taking up painting in his later years.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Con)
Despite turning his back on acting, he took a break from his retirement in 2003 for the TV mini series, Angels in America playing a Rabbi
Paying tribute, Barbara Streisand said: “Nicky lived a long loving life. I’ll miss you papa,” alongside a string of crying emojis.
Since the news of his death, fans have flocked to social media to share their condolences, with one penning: “A great actor, rest in peace.”
(Image: Getty Images)
“I watched Yentl for about the 5th time last weekend and loved Nehemiah Persoff’s performance- a sad loss of a great talent,” said a second.
Before a third added: “His was one of those familiar faces, a prolific actor whose career spanned the history of television but who also worked on the silver screen.”
“Nehemiah Persoff – RIP for a Great Actor- he was in so many favourites of mine over the years. Hero, a villain, pressured Everyman, Big Boss businessman, he did it all, tweeted a fourth.
His wife, Thia Persoff died in February 2021 after a battle with breast cancer.
He is survived by his four children, Jeff, Perry, Dan and Dahlia and his grandchildren Bridget, Stacey, Joey, Michelle and Jacqueline.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
