Maximilian Josef Sommer (born June 26, 1934) is a retired German-American stage, television, and film actor.

Early life

He was born in

Greifswald Greifswald (), officially the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald (german: Universitäts- und Hansestadt Greifswald, Low German: ''Griepswoold'') is the fourth-largest city in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania after Rosto ...

, Germany, and raised in North Carolina, the son of Elisabeth and Clemens Sommer, a professor of Art History at the University of North Carolina. He studied at the

Carnegie Institute of Technology Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of its predecessors was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools; it became the Carnegie Institute of Technology ...

.Josef Sommer Biography - Yahoo! Movies
/ref> He has a daughter, Maria.

Career

Sommer made his acting debut at the age of nine in a North Carolina production of ''Watch on the Rhine''. He made his film debut in ''

Dirty Harry ''Dirty Harry'' is a 1971 American neo-noir action thriller film produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in the ''Dirty Harry'' series. Clint Eastwood plays the title role, in his first outing as San Francisco Police Department (SFP ...

'' (1971) and appeared in films such as ''

The Stepford Wives ''The Stepford Wives'' is a 1972 satirical "feminist horror" novel by Ira Levin. The story concerns Joanna Eberhart, a talented photographer, wife and young mother who suspects that something in Stepford's environment is changing the wives fr ...

'' (1975), ''

Close Encounters of the Third Kind ''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' is a 1977 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey, and François Truffaut. It tells the story ...

'' (1977), '' Still of the Night'' (1982), ''

Silkwood ''Silkwood'' is a 1983 American biographical drama film directed by Mike Nichols and starring Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, and Cher. The screenplay by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen was adapted from the book ''Who Killed Karen Silkwood?'' by ''Rollin ...

'' (1983),

Peter Weir Peter Lindsay Weir ( ; born August 21, 1944) is a retired Australian film director. He's known for directing films crossing various genres over forty years with films such as '' Picnic at Hanging Rock'' (1975), ''Gallipoli'' (1981), ''Witness ...

's thriller ''

Witness In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, e ...

'' (1985) opposite Harrison Ford (where he played a dirty cop), ''

Target Target may refer to: Physical items * Shooting target, used in marksmanship training and various shooting sports ** Bullseye (target), the goal one for which one aims in many of these sports ** Aiming point, in field artillery, f ...

'' (1985), '' Malice'' (1993), ''

Patch Adams Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams (born May 28, 1945) is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author. He founded the Gesundheit! Institute in 1971. Each year he also organizes volunteers from around the world to travel to var ...

'' (1998), and '' X-Men: The Last Stand'' (2006). He appeared as President Gerald Ford opposite

Gena Rowlands Virginia Cathryn "Gena" Rowlands (born June 19, 1930) is an American retired actress, whose career in film, stage, and television has spanned seven decades. A four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner, she is known for her collaborations w ...

in the TV movie ''

The Betty Ford Story ''The Betty Ford Story'' is a 1987 television film directed by David Greene and written by Karen Hall. This biographical film was based on the book ''The Times of My Life'' written by Chris Chase and Betty Ford. The film originally aired on A ...

'' (1987). In 1974, he appeared in the role of Roy Mills on ''

The Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. It is listed in ''Guinness World Records'' as the third longest-running drama in television in American history. ''Guiding Light'' a ...

'', and played George Barton in the 1983 TV version of Agatha Christie's ''

Sparkling Cyanide ''Sparkling Cyanide'' is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in February 1945 under the title of ''Remembered Death'' and in UK by the Collins Crime Club in the De ...

''. He had starring roles in two short-lived series: '' Hothouse'' (1988) and ''

Under Cover ''Under Cover'' is the ninth solo studio album by English heavy metal vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. The album consists entirely of cover songs, with an emphasis on rock music from the 1960s and 1970s. This is Osbourne's first and only album to fe ...

'' (1991). As of 2007, he had appeared in almost 100 films. Some of his more famous roles were as a crooked businessman or a corrupt politician. Sommer displayed humanity without being seen on screen when he lent his talents as the poignant narrator in ''

Sophie's Choice ''Sophie's Choice'' may refer to: * ''Sophie's Choice'' (novel), a 1979 novel by American author William Styron ** ''Sophie's Choice'' (film), a 1982 American drama film directed by Alan J. Pakula ** ''Sophie's Choice'' (opera), an opera by the ...

'' (1982). He played a rare leading role—opposite the titular-titled,

eponymous An eponym is a person, a place, or a thing after whom or which someone or something is, or is believed to be, named. The adjectives which are derived from the word eponym include ''eponymous'' and ''eponymic''. Usage of the word The term ''epon ...

character played by

Sylvia Kristel Sylvia Maria Kristel (28 September 1952 17 October 2012) was a Dutch actress and model who appeared in over 50 films. She is best remembered as the eponymous character in five of the seven Emmanuelle films, including originating the role with ''E ...

—as the film noir-esque detective in the quirky horror comedy ''

Dracula's Widow ''Dracula’s Widow'' is a 1988 vampire thriller film directed by Christopher Coppola, written by Tom Blomquist as Kathryn Ann Thomas, and starring Sylvia Kristel, Josef Sommer and Lenny von Dohlen. Kristel, in the titular role, goes on a killin ...

'' (1988).

Filmography

* 1971 ''

'' as District Attorney William T. Rothko * 1972 ''The Witches of Salem: The Horror and the Hope'' (

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

) * 1974 ''

Man on a Swing ''Man on a Swing'' is a 1974 American thriller film directed by Frank Perry and written by David Zelag Goodman. The film stars Cliff Robertson, Joel Grey, Dorothy Tristan, Elizabeth Wilson and George Voskovec and was released on February 27, 1 ...

'' as Pete Russell * 1975 ''

'' as Ted Van Sant * 1975 ''

Valley Forge Valley Forge functioned as the third of eight winter encampments for the Continental Army's main body, commanded by General George Washington, during the American Revolutionary War. In September 1777, Congress fled Philadelphia to escape the ...

'' (TV) as Brigadier General 'Dusty' Varnum * 1976 ''

The Adams Chronicles ''The Adams Chronicles'' is a thirteen-episode miniseries by PBS that aired in 1976 to commemorate the American Bicentennial. Synopsis The series chronicles the story of the Adams political family over a 150-year span, including John Adams (dra ...

'' (TV) as Charles Lee * 1977 ''

'' as Larry Butler * 1978 ''

Oliver's Story ''Oliver's Story'' is a 1978 American romance film, romantic drama film and a sequel to ''Love Story (1970 film), Love Story'' (1970) based on a novel by Erich Segal published a year earlier. It was directed by John Korty and again starred Ryan O ...

'' as Dr. Dienhart * 1980 ''

Hide in Plain Sight ''Hide in Plain Sight'' is a 1980 American drama film directed by and starring James Caan with the storyline based on an actual case from the files of New York attorney Salvatore R. Martoche who represented Tom Leonard, a real-life Buffalo, New Yo ...

'' as Jason R. Reid * 1981 '' Absence of Malice'' as McAdam * 1981 ''

Reds Reds may refer to: General * Red (political adjective), supporters of Communism or socialism * Reds (January Uprising), a faction of the Polish insurrectionists during the January Uprising in 1863 * USSR (or, to a lesser extent, China) during th ...

'' as State Department Official * 1981 '' Rollover'' as Roy Lefcourt * 1982 '' Hanky Panky'' as Adrian Pruitt * 1982 '' Still of the Night'' as George Bynum * 1982 ''

'' as Narrator (voice) * 1983 '' Independence Day'' as Sam Taylor * 1983 ''

'' as Max Richter * 1984 '' Iceman'' as Whitman * 1985 ''

'' as Chief Paul Schaeffer * 1985 '' D.A.R.Y.L.'' as Dr. Jeffrey Stewart * 1985 ''

'' as Taber * 1986 ''

Scarecrow and Mrs. King ''Scarecrow and Mrs. King'' is an American television series that aired from October 3, 1983, to September 10, 1987, on CBS. The show starred Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner, as divorced housewife Amanda King and top-level "Agency" operative ...

'' (TV) as Raoul Nesbitt * 1987 ''

The Rosary Murders ''The Rosary Murders'' is a 1987 American mystery film, mystery crime film directed by Fred Walton (director), Fred Walton and starring Donald Sutherland, Charles Durning, Belinda Bauer (actress), Belinda Bauer, and Josef Sommer. Its plot follows ...

'' as Lieutenant Koznicki * 1988 ''

'' as Lannon * 1989 '' Chances Are'' as Judge Fenwick * 1989 ''Forced March'' as Father * 1989 '' Bloodhounds of Broadway'' as Waldo Winchester * 1990 ''

The Kennedys of Massachusetts ''The Kennedys of Massachusetts'' is a 1990 TV miniseries that aired on ABC. Focusing mainly on the fifty-four year marriage of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Kennedy. The events depicted in the series are based upon the book by Doris Kearns G ...

'' (TV) as

Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt (; ; January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), often referred to by his initials FDR, was an American politician and attorney who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. As the ...

* 1991 ''

Shadows and Fog ''Shadows and Fog'' is a 1991 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Woody Allen and based on his one-act play ''Death'' (1975). It stars Allen, Mia Farrow, John Malkovich, Kathy Bates, David Ogden Stiers, Jodie Foster, Lily Tomlin, J ...

'' as Priest * 1992 '' Citizen Cohn'' (TV) as Albert Cohn * 1992 ''

The Mighty Ducks ''The Mighty Ducks'' is an American media franchise. It features a trilogy of live-action films released in the 1990s by Walt Disney Pictures, an animated television series, a live-action sequel television series, and a real-world hockey team ...

'' as Gerald Ducksworth * 1993 '' Malice'' as Lester Adams * 1993 ''

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles ''The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles'' is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 4, 1992, to July 24, 1993. Filming took place in various locations around the world, with "Old Indy" bookend segments filmed in Wilmington, Nort ...

'' (TV) as President

Woodrow Wilson Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856February 3, 1924) was an American politician and academic who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. A member of the Democratic Party, Wilson served as the president of ...

* 1994 '' Nobody's Fool'' as Clive Peoples Jr. * 1995 '' Strange Days'' as LAPD Commissioner Palmer Strickland * 1995 '' Moonlight and Valentino'' as Thomas Trager * 1996 '' The Chamber'' as Phelps Bowen * 1996-2000 '' Law & Order'' (TV) as Judge Hellman / Defence Attorney Patrick Rumsey * 1997 ''

Early Edition ''Early Edition'' is an American fantasy comedy-drama television series that aired on CBS from September 28, 1996, to May 27, 2000. Set in Chicago, Illinois, it follows the adventures of a man who mysteriously receives each ''Chicago Sun-Times' ...

'' as John Dobbs * 1998 '' The Proposition'' as Father Dryer * 1998 ''

Bulworth ''Bulworth'' is a 1998 American political satire black comedy film co-written, co-produced, directed by, and starring Warren Beatty. It co-stars Halle Berry, Oliver Platt, Don Cheadle, Paul Sorvino, Jack Warden, and Isaiah Washington. The film fo ...

'' as Doctor (uncredited) * 1998 ''

Lulu on the Bridge ''Lulu on the Bridge'' is a 1998 American romantic- mystery drama film written and directed by author Paul Auster and starring Harvey Keitel, Mira Sorvino, and Willem Dafoe. The film is about a jazz saxophone player whose life is transformed after ...

'' as Peter Shine (deleted scene) (uncredited) * 1998 ''

'' as Dr. Eaton * 2000 '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (TV) as Defence Attorney Patrick Rumsey * 2000 ''

The Next Best Thing ''The Next Best Thing'' is a 2000 American comedy-drama film directed by John Schlesinger (his final feature film before his death in 2003) about two best friends who have a child together and a custody battle years after. Starring Madonna, Rup ...

'' as Richard Whittaker * 2000 '' Shaft'' as Curt Fleming * 2000 ''

The Family Man ''The Family Man'' is a 2000 American romantic fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Brett Ratner, from a screenplay by David Diamond and David Weissman. The film stars Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni, with Don Cheadle, Saul Rubinek, and Jeremy ...

'' as Peter Lassiter * 2002 '' The Sum of All Fears'' as Senator Jessup * 2002 '' Searching for Paradise'' as Carl Greenslate * 2002 ''

Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin ( April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Encyclopædia Britannica, Wood, 2021 Among the leading inte ...

'' (TV) as Cotton Mather * 2003 ''

Law & Order: Criminal Intent ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' is an American police procedural Drama (film and television), drama television series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and Executive producer#Motion pictures and television, p ...

'' as Spencer Durning * 2004 ''

The West Wing ''The West Wing'' is an American serial political drama television series created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999, to May 14, 2006. The series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White Hous ...

'' as Steve Gaines * 2006 ''

The Elephant King ''The Elephant King'' is a 2006 romantic drama film directed by Seth Grossman. Story It is about a depressed teenager who wants to write a story about an anthropologist in Thailand. The anthropologist character is inspired by his older brother w ...

'' as Bill Hunt * 2006 '' X-Men: The Last Stand'' as The President * 2007 '' The Invasion'' as Dr. Henryk Belicec * 2008 '' Stop-Loss'' as Senator Orton Worrell * 2010 ''

The Other Guys ''The Other Guys'' is a 2010 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Adam McKay, who co-wrote it with Chris Henchy. It stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg with Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Ray Stevenson, Samuel L. J ...

'' (2010) as District Attorney Radford (uncredited)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sommer, Josef 1934 births People from Greifswald American male film actors American male television actors German emigrants to the United States Living people Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts alumni