Leon Lissek
Leon Lissek was an Australian-born British actor.
He appeared in over 80 films in his career, which started with Marat/Sade, his film roles include Time Bandits, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Nicholas and Alexandra, and The Horsemen.
Lissek was also well known for his small screen roles in the TV drama series The Sullivans and EastEnders.
Biography
Lissek was born in Australia on 19 January 1939. He started acting at the Kadimah in Melbourne, through his school-days and during his university year, when he was part of the Marlowe Society in late 1950s. He went to live in England in 1963.
Lissek played Hans Kauffman on The Sullivans. He also performed on stage. A review of Company, which played in Exeter in 1980, said Lissek was "admirably cast". Lissek, who was Jewish, spoke in defence of performing The Merchant of Venice, which is regarded by some as anti-Semitic.
Personal life
His wife, Heather Canning, was an actress. They married in 1969; she died in 1996. Lissek's death was announced by the entertainment union Equity in June 2022; he had died in Slough, Berkshire, in January aged 82.
Selected TV and filmography
Marat/Sade as LavoisierThe Avengers as Taxi Driver in episode "The Forget Me Knot"Journey to the Unknown as MatakitasTell Me Lies as GuestSpecial Branch as HoffmanThe Last Valley as CzerakiCountess Dracula as Sergeant of BailiffsThe Horsemen as Chikana ProprietorNicholas and Alexandra as AvdeyevThe Sullivans as Hans KaufmanSweeney 2 as Cardona AlexandrosThe Famous Five as HunchyThe Professionals, one episode – Where The Jungle Ends as PoleShogun as Father SebastioTime Bandits as 1st RefugeeThe Island of Adventure as JoEver Decreasing Circles Christmas special – The Party as Mr.XEleni as AntoniPersonal Services as Mr. PopozogolouNoble House as Christian ToxeWhoops Apocalypse as Politburo MemberThe Unbearable Lightness of Being as Bald Man in BarBloodmoon as Myles SheffieldThe Trial as StairmanNostradamus as InquisitorEastEnders as Bruno di MarcoArabian Nights as Dr. EzraSuzie Gold as JuliusClouds Over the Hill as Jacob Schiff