Mikhail Rasumny

The son of a celebrated Jewish cantor, Russia-born Mikhail Rasumny was a working actor from age 14 on. After several years of touring the provinces, Rasumny joined the Moscow Art Theater, accompanying the troupe to the U.S. in 1935. Deciding to settle in the States, he took such odd jobs as dishwasher, bill collector, and hearse driver between theatrical engagements. He made his film debut in Comrade X (1940) then spent the next 15 years specializing in ethnic character roles, ranging from Slavic to Spanish (he was Rafael in 1943's For Whom the Bell Tolls). Nearly always listed among the supporting players, Mikhail Rasmumny was afforded top billing ("for perhaps the only time in his career," speculated film historian Leonard Maltin) in the Technicolor two-reel musical Gypsy Holiday (1945).

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide