Mark Russell (actor)

{{short description|American film and television actor}}

{{Infobox person

|name = Mark Russell

|birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|95|2024|05|22}}

|birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|occupation = Film and television actor

|years_active = 1959–1985

}}

Mark Russell (born 1928/1929){{Cite web|url=https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/korean-war-veteran-former-kojak-actor-mark-russell-to-be-honored-at-bolderboulder-memorial-day-ceremony|title=Korean War veteran, former 'Kojak' actor Mark Russell to be honored at BOLDERBoulder Memorial Day ceremony|work=KMGH-TV|date=May 22, 2024|first=Nicole|last=Brady|access-date=July 12, 2024}}{{efn | Russell was 95 years old in 2024}} is an American former film and television actor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/606278347/|title=Letters to the editor|work=News-Pilot|location=San Pedro, California|date=May 19, 1976|access-date=January 31, 2022|page=6|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Closed access}} He is perhaps best known for playing Detective Saperstein in the American crime drama television series Kojak.

Russell was born in Brooklyn, New York.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/482838002/|title=The supporting players on 'Kojak' are the best-known unknowns on TV|work=Daily News|location=New York, New York|date=December 4, 1977|access-date=January 31, 2022|page=809|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Closed access}} He served in the United States Army. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mark_russell_2|title=Mark Russell|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=January 31, 2022}}

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. 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.