Josef Sommer Biography

Fast Facts

• Studied undergraduate coursework at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh
• Interested in acting since a child, he made his professional stage debut at nine-years-old
• Quote: "There are two things that go on in a professional actor's life․ The first is finding work, making a living, pursuing a career․ the other thing is the art of acting․․․I'm not sure you ever reconcile the two things․"
• Quote: "I guess you just remind yourself that acting is worthwhile because there is always potentially great work to be done․ I was acting when I was 7․ I'll be doing it when I'm 70․"
• Mostly active in theater work during the earliest parts of his career, as his feature film debut would come later at 37-years-old
• Made his Broadway debut in 1970 after more than 30 years performing at the American Shakespeare Festival
• As an in-demand character actor, he usually portrays evil businessmen or politicians