Ivan Triesault (born Johann Constantin Treisalt; – January 3, 1980) was an Estonian-American character actor and dancer, who appeared in some 130 film and television productions between 1943 and 1969.
Early life Triesault was born Johann Treisalt (rendered in Estonian as Juhan Treisalt) in Tallinn, the son of Baltic German parents from the island of Hiiumaa. His father was a foreman in a furniture factory and his mother worked as an au pair for a wealthy family. Triesault's father died when he was five years old.
He made his first stage appearance at the German Theatre in Tallinn aged 12, before moving to the United States aged 18. He trained as a ballet dancer under famed choreographer Mikhail Fokine, and worked as his assistant for several years. Working for Russian-born Fokine, he adopted 'Ivan' as his given name (Ivan [Иван] is the Russian form of 'Johann').
Career
Triesault worked as a dancer and mime at Radio City Music Hall. During the 1920s, he worked with a touring theatre company in Europe, and furthered his acting studies in London. After returning to New York, he acted in various Broadway productions.
He made his debut in 1943's Mission to Moscow, a pro-Soviet propaganda film by Warner Bros., playing Mikhail Tukhachevsky. His notable roles include appearances in Cry of the Werewolf (1944), The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944), A Song to Remember (1945), Notorious (1946), 5 Fingers (1952), Jet Pilot (1957), Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959), The 300 Spartans (1962), It Happened in Athens (1962), Von Ryan's Express (1965), Batman (1966) and the TV series The Wild Wild West.
According to film historian Pekka Linnainen, Triesault is "the most successful Estonian actor in Hollywood history," who is "still completely unknown even in his home country." However, "fans of classic American cinema know his face".
Death Triesault died in Los Angeles in 1980, aged 81, from cardiac failure.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role(s) Notes 1943 Mission to Moscow Marshal Mikhail Tukhachevsky Uncredited Hostages Franta Prince Hohenberg 1944 Five Were Chosen Song of Russia Comissar Uncredited In Our Time Bujanski Uncertain Glory Saboteur Martin Niemöller Janssen Pharmacist's Mate Uncredited Colonel Pavlec Days of Glory German Lieutenant Uncredited The Mummy's Ghost Scripps Museum Guide Cry of the Werewolf Jan Spavero Strange Affair Dr. Igor Baumler Uncredited 1945 A Song to Remember Nicolas Chopin Escape in the Fog Hausmer Counter-Attack Sgt. Johann Grillparzer 1946 Notorious Eric Mathi Crime Doctor's Man Hunt Alfred 'Alfredi' Hempstead Uncredited Major Chavet 1947 The Crimson Key Peter Vandaman Golden Earrings Maj. Reimann Escape Me Never Choreographer Uncredited 1948 The Woman from Tangier Rocheau To the Ends of the Earth Naftalie Vrandstadter Uncredited 1949 Outpost in Morocco Tribal Leader Home in San Antone Van Vliet, Jewel Thief Johnny Allegro Pelham Vetch I.V. Morse Battleground German Captain Uncredited 1950 D.O.A. Photographer Spy Hunt Assassin Kim The Russian 1951 Target Unknown German Lieutenant Uncredited My True Story Alexis Delios King George German Major Uncredited My Favorite Spy Gunman 1952 5 Fingers Steuben Von Ellstein 1953 Desert Legion Cpl. H. Schmidt Uncredited Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation Henri Dupre Scandal at Scourie Father Barrett Uncredited Young Bess Danish Envoy How to Marry a Millionaire Phillip Uncredited Back to God's Country Reinhardt 1954 Border River Baron Von Hollden Charge of the Lancers Dr. Manus Prof. Klauber's Assistant Uncredited Raoul Her Twelve Men Erik Haldeman 1955 Ludwig Uncredited 1957 Top Secret Affair German Field Marshal Duke Alexander Michael David Silk Stockings Russian Embassy Official Uncredited Jet Pilot Gen. Langrad 1958 German Colonel Uncredited Fraulein Prof. Julius Angermann Me and the Colonel Polish Vice Consul Uncredited Mardi Gras Bernard 1959 Journey to the Center of the Earth Prof. Peter Göteborg 1960 I'll Give My Life Dr. Neuman Dr. Peter Ulof Cimarron Lewis Venable Uncredited 1961 Go Naked in the World Mons. Jacques Vrey Barabbas Emperor 1962 It Happened in Athens Grandpa Loues/Mr. Trisapopolis Demaratus 1963 Mr. Lindquist Uncredited 1964 Viva Las Vegas Head Captain 1965 Von Ryan's Express SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Wilhelm von Kleist 1965 Morituri Lt. Brandt 1966 Batman West German Delegate Uncredited 1969 1970 The Lady, or the Tiger? The King
Television Year Title Role(s) Notes 1952 Dangerous Assignment Dr. Anacos Episode: "The Iron Banner Story" 1953 The President Episode: "A Tale of Two Cities: Part 2" Ford Television Theatre Lt. Schinkel Episode: "The Jewel" G.E. True Theater Walter Episode: "The Eye of the Beholder" 1954 City Detective Hans Orby Episode: "The Blonde Orchid" Ernest Meckler Episode: "Borderline Case" Mystery Is My Business Episode: "Mardi Gras" Climax! Episode: "Epitaph for a Spy" 1954–59 Schlitz Playhouse Dr. Colman 2 Episodes: "At the Natchez Inn" and "And Practically Strangers" 1955 Passport to Danger Hoenschen Episode: "Rome" Lux Video Theatre Major Strasser Episode: "Casablanca" Soldiers of Fortune Dr. Harman Episode: "The Honor of Dr. Mazaro" 1955–56 Crusader Thomas Ulm / August Bonner 2 episodes: "The Bargain" and "Berlin Love Story" 1956 Four Star Playhouse Volpe Episode: "Safe Keeping" Matinee Theater Urbain Episode: "The American" Von Bering Episode: "The Trial of Edward Pritchard" Playhouse 90 Carl Kersch Episode: "Confession" Steuben Episode: "Operation Cicero" 1956–57 Maurice Toulouse 5 episodes 1956–57 Navy Log German Officer 2 episodes: "The Helium Umbrella" and "After You, Ludwig" 1958 Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Ambassador Episode: "Day of Glory" Northwest Passage Father Ricard Episode: "The Hostage" Man with a Camera Doctor Kolberg Episode: "Lady on the Loose" 1959 Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond Inspector Episode: "The Dark Room" Dr. Fourtier Episode: "The Indispensable Man" Markham Stephen Saltzman Episode: "Double Negative" World of Giants Episode: "Gambling Story" 1959–64 Perry Mason Fred Schoenbeck / Dr. Kleinman 2 episodes: "The Case of the Shattered Dream" and "The Case of a Place Called Midnight" 1960 Not for Hire Masters / Mueller / Schoenberg 3 episodes 1962 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Professor Levenson 2 episodes: "Escapade in Florence: Part 1" and "Escapade in Florence: Part 2" 1964–66 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Commander / Klaus 2 episodes: "The Price of Doom" and "The Death Ship" 1965 Mitter Episode: "Run for the Money" Combat! Doctor Episode: "Odyssey" Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Baron Episode: "The Game" Burke's Law Wexler Episode: "The Man with the Power" Honey West Lazlo Shatzi Episode: "Rockabye the Hard Way" 1966 Batman Parkhurst Episode: "The Clock King's Crazy Crimes" Professor Voltan Episode: "The Danish Blue Affair" 12 O'Clock High Tanzman Episode: "To Seek and Destroy" 1967 Mission: Impossible Plantinov Episode: "The Trial" Hogan's Heroes General von Katz Episode: "D–Day at Stalag 13" Felony Squad Mannheim Episode: "The Pat Hand of Death" 1967–69 Ambassador / Bishop Kucharyk 2 episodes: "The Night of the Cossacks" and "The Night of the Surreal McCoy", (final appearance) 1968 Garrison's Gorillas Dr. Bergholtz / Dr. Moletti 2 episodes: "Time Bomb" and "The Big Lie" Bonanza Thad Borchik Episode: "Commitment at Angelus" It Takes a Thief Kruger / Maitre 2 episodes: "Get Me to the Revolution on Time" and "It Takes One to Know One" 1969 Ironside Dr. Driscoll Episode: "In Search of an Artist"
Partial stage credits Year Title Role(s)Venue Notes 1926 The Jeweled Tree Face-Turned-Backward, Ahmes48th Street Theatre, New York 1927–28Harry Delmar's RevelsPerformerShubert Theatre, New York1933Marathon Luis BorkofskiMansfield Theatre, New York1936Star SpangledProf. Jake NiebieskiJohn Golden Theatre, New York1936–37HamletEnsemble memberEmpire Theatre, New YorkSt. James Theatre, New York1939Foreigners The RussianBelasco Theatre, New York1940The Burning DeckNicholasMaxine Elliott's Theatre, New YorkRussian BankRevolutionarySt. James Theatre, New York1941The Walrus and the Carpenter CorderCort Theatre, New York
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