Nicholas Saunders
Photo: Theatre World 1969-1970
Born
Nikita Nikolayevich Soussanin

(1914-06-02)June 2, 1914
Kyiv, Ukraine
DiedAugust 6, 2006(2006-08-06) (aged 92)
Los Angeles, California
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Children2 including, Lanna Saunders
Parent(s)Nicholas Soussanin and Olga Baclanova

Nikita Nikolayevich Soussanin (June 2, 1914 – August 6, 2006) was a Ukrainian–American film, television, theatre actor, theatre translator and stage manager.

Life and career

Saunders was born in Kyiv, Ukraine[1] to Ukrainian parents Nicholas, an actor and Olga, an actress.[2] He was raised in Hollywood, California.[1]

Saunders began his career in 1938, appearing in the Broadway play The Bridal Crown, playing the pastor.[3]

Later in his career, Saunders appeared and starred in other Broadway plays, including Lady in the Dark, playing Liza's father;[4] A Highland Fling, playing Sandy MacGill;[5] Happily Ever After, stage-managing and playing Stubbs;[3] Marriage is for Single People, playing Reginald Hecuba;[6] The Magnificent Yankee, playing Mason;[5] The Fifth Season, stage-managing;[3] A Call on Kuprin, playing Mr. Kendall and guard at Yalta;[7] Take Her, She's Mine, playing the principal, Mr. Whitmyer, Frank Michaelson, and Mr. Hibbetts;[5] The Passion of Josef D., language consultant and playing Sukhanov, Orjonikidze, and ensemble;[5][8] Scenes and Revelations, playing Mr. Karonk;[9] and Zoya's Apartment, translating the play with Frank Dwyer.[10][3][5]

Saunders started his television career in 1947, appearing in Kraft Television Theatre. He also was a Russian radio announcer on Voice for America, in the same year.[1] In 1950, Saunders played Sergeant Ross in the television series Martin Kane, Private Eye from 1950 to 1952.[1] He also played Captain J. Barker in The Phil Silvers Show.[2][11]

In 1990, Saunders retired. He won a Los Angeles Drama Critic's Award, which he shared with his writing partner Frank Dwyer, in 2005.[2]

Death

Saunders died in August 2006 of lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 92.[1][2][12]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1952Bread of FreedomTV movie
1959Keep in StepCaptain J. BarkerTV movie
1966The Journey of the Fifth HorseTV movie
1971BananasDouglas
1975Deadly Hero
1978The Defection of Simas KudirkaSoviet chairmanTV movie
1981C.O.D.T.B. Dumore
1983DanielJail Doctor
1987Invisible ThreadGeneralTV movie

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1947–1948Kraft Television Theatre3 episodes
1949The Boris Karloff Mystery Playhouse1 episode
1949–1951The Philco Television Playhouse4 episods
1949The Chevrolet Tele-TheatreLeonard Vole1 episode
1950Lights Out1 episode
1950–1954Martin Kane, Private EyeSgt. Ross16 episodes
1953Campbell Summer Soundstage1 episode
1954Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers1 episode
1955The World of Mr. Sweeney1 episode
1956–1959The Phil Silvers ShowCaptain J. Barker30 episodes
1956Chevron Hall of Stars1 episode
1960–1961Naked CityHolman/George Herner2 episodes
1961Peter Loves MaryCaptain Morgan1 episode
1961The Law and Mr. JonesHayward1 episode
1961Armstrong Circle TheatreSuzhinski/Schmidt2 episodes
1961Route 66George Slocum1 episode
1962Car 54, Where Are You?Lt. Cushman2 episodes
1963EspionageColonel G1 episode
1964The DefendersInspector Harding1 episode
1965For the PeopleThe Foreman1 episode
1966–1967The Jackie Gleason ShowGeneral Goronsky/Judge John J. Fenton2 episodes
1970All My ChildrenChief Bradley (1080)1 episode
1984As the World TurnsJustice1 episode

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Lentz, Harris (April 24, 2007). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2006. McFarland. p. 327. ISBN 9780786429332 – via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Nicholas Saunders, 92; TV and Stage Actor, Translated Plays From Russian Into English". Los Angeles Times. October 17, 2006. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Nicholas Saunders". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  4. ↑ Dietz, Dan (February 2, 2015). The Complete Book of 1940s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 153. ISBN 9781442245280 – via Google Books.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nicholas Saunders". Playbill. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  6. ↑ Leonard, William (1983). Broadway Bound: A Guide to Shows that Died Aborning. Scarecrow Press. p. 297. ISBN 9780810816527 – via Google Books.
  7. ↑ "A Call on Kuprin Broadway Original Cast". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Theater: Chayefsky's 'Passion of Josef D.'; Author Directs Drama at the Barrymore; Stalin Is Portrayed by Peter Falk". The New York Times. February 12, 1964. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  9. ↑ Rich, Frank (June 26, 1981). "The Stage: 'Scenes and Revelations'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  10. ↑ Rich, Frank (May 11, 1990). "Review/Theater; Marooned in Moscow After the Revolution". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  11. ↑ Rosin, Gene (November 1, 2010). Sparks of Liberty: An Insider's Memoir of Radio Liberty. Penn State Press. p. 95. ISBN 978-0271038636 – via Google Books.
  12. ↑ Willis, Hodges, John, Ben (June 1, 2009). Theatre World 2006–2007 – The Most Complete Record of the American Theatre. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 417. ISBN 978-1557837288 – via Google Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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