Josef Sommer


Maximilian Josef Sommer is a German-American retired stage, film and television actor.

Early life and education

Sommer was born in Greifswald, Germany, from which he and his parents, Elisabeth and Clemens Sommer, a professor of art history at the University of North Carolina, emigrated in 1938 with his sister. He studied theatre at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. Sommer served in the U.S. Army. Afterwards, he trained as an actor at the American [Shakespeare Festival] in Connecticut.

Career

;Stage
Sommer made his acting debut in 1943 at the age of nine in the Carolina Playmakers production of Lillian Hellman's 1941 American drama play, Watch on the Rhine.
He performed with the Seattle Repertory Theatre in Washington. In 1970, he made his Broadway debut as Brabantio in Othello. In 1971, Sommer played the Defense in the original production of Friar Daniel Berrigan's Catonsville Nine#The Trial of the [Catonsville Nine (play)|The Trial of the Catonsville Nine] based upon the real-life Catonsville Nine. Gregory Peck later produced a 1972 film adaptation, The Trial of the Catonsville Nine based on the play. Also during the 1970s, Sommer's Broadway roles and performances include Dr. Karl Yaeger in Jack Horrigan's thriller Children! Children! directed by Joseph Hardy, Nikolai Skrobotov in Maxim Gorky's play Enemies, Antonio in Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice, Schmidt in by Erich Maria Remarque's Full Circle directed by Otto Preminger , Arnold J. Pilger in Peter Ustinov's original comedy Who's Who in Hell, Michael Cristofer's original award-winning drama The Shadow Box, and Francis in the musical play Spokesong. In 1980 he played Clifton A. Feddington in the original musical The 1940's Radio Hour, and Dr. Michael Emerson in the revival of Brian Clark's drama Whose Life is it Anyway? Sommer also played The Reverend Lionel Espy in the original production of Racing Demon.
Sommer won Obie Awards for his off-Broadway performances in Lydie Breeze and Václav Havel's semi-autobiographical play Largo Desolato. He also appeared off-Broadway at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater as Blair in the 1994 revision of Tom Stoppard's play Hapgood. In 1991, Sommer was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his role in Hamlet.
;Film
Sommer made his film debut in Dirty Harry, followed by roles in The Stepford Wives, The Front, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Reds, and Still [of the Night (film)|Still of the Night] in 1982. That same year, he was the narrator in Sophie's Choice. He appeared in Silkwood, Peter Weir's thriller Witness opposite Harrison Ford, and Target. In 1988, Sommer played the lead role opposite Sylvia Kristel, as the film noir-esque detective in the quirky horror comedy Dracula's Widow. He then appeared in Shadows and Fog. In 1992, he played the eponymous role of Gerald Ducksworth in The Mighty Ducks, a kind-hearted benefactor of inner city youth hockey, who sends his best lawyer to coach the team and donates funds for rink time, safe equipment and proper uniforms. In the film, Gerald Ducksworth is the founder of both the fictional District 5 Ducks and NHL Anaheim Ducks teams. He then appeared in Malice, Nobody's Fool, Patch Adams, and X-Men: The Last Stand.
;Television
On television Sommer appeared in the role of Roy Mills on The Guiding Light, and played George Barton in the 1983 television adaptation of Agatha Christie's Sparkling Cyanide. He played President Gerald Ford opposite Gena Rowlands in the television film The Betty Ford Story. He had starring roles in the short-lived series, Hothouse and Under Cover. In 1989, Sommer guest starred on the CBS action drama The Equalizer as master wargame villain Ernest Rasher in the episode "Endgame."

Personal life

Sommer has a daughter, Maria.

Filmography

Film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1973–1974The DoctorsDave Davis23 episodes
1974The Guiding LightRoy Mills
1974-1990Great PerformancesNikolai/Polonius2 episodes
1975Valley ForgeBrigadier General 'Dusty' VarnumTV movie
1976The Adams ChroniclesCharles LeeEpisode: "Chapter VI: John Adams, President"
1977The Andros TargetsBenson FischerEpisode: "The Killing of a Porno Queen"
1978Another WorldRev. Higley1 episode
1979The Scarlet LetterNathaniel HawthorneMiniseries
1983Sparkling CyanideGeorge BartonTV movie
1985I Had Three WivesMcWilliamsEpisode: "Runaround Sue"
1985The Execution of Raymond GrahamJim NealTV Movie-
1986Screen TwoJames AngeltonEpisode: "Double Image"
1986Scarecrow and Mrs. KingRaoul NesbittEpisode: "Needs to Know"
1987American PlayhouseDocEpisode: "The Wide Net"
1988[Hothouse (TV series)|Hothouse]Dr. Sam Garrison7 episodes
1989Bionic Showdown: [The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman]Charles EstimanTV movie
1989The EqualizerErnest RasherEpisode: "Endgame"
1990The Kennedys of MassachusettsFranklin D. RooseveltMiniseries
1991A Woman Named JackieJoseph P. Kennedy Jr.Miniseries
1992Citizen CohnAlbert CohnTV movie
1993The [Young Indiana Jones Chronicles]President Woodrow WilsonEpisode: "Paris, May 1919"
1996-2000Law & OrderJudge Lawrence Hellman/Defence Attorney Patrick Rumsey2 episodes
1997Early EditionJohn Dobbs2 episodes
2000Law & Order: Special Victims UnitDefence Attorney Patrick RumseyEpisode: "Law & Order: [Special Victims Unit season 1#ep15|Entitled]" Part 2
2002Benjamin FranklinCotton MatherTV miniseries
2003Law & Order: Criminal IntentSpencer DurningEpisode: "Cold Comfort"
2004The West WingSteve GainesEpisode: "Slow News Day"