Ivan Triesault

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title: "Ivan Triesault" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1898-births", "1980-deaths", "20th-century-american-male-actors", "20th-century-estonian-male-actors", "american-male-film-actors", "american-male-television-actors", "american-male-ballet-dancers", "american-people-of-baltic-german-descent", "emigrants-from-the-russian-empire-to-the-united-states", "estonian-male-film-actors", "estonian-male-television-actors", "estonian-male-stage-actors", "estonian-emigrants-to-the-united-states", "estonian-people-of-baltic-german-descent", "estonian-ballet-dancers", "male-actors-from-tallinn", "people-from-the-governorate-of-estonia"] description: "Estonian-American actor (1898-1980)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Triesault" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Estonian-American actor (1898-1980) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]

Field	Value
name	Ivan Triesault
image	Ivan Triesault in One Step Beyond (The Dark Room).jpg
caption	Triesault in an episode of One Step Beyond (1959)
birth_name	Johann Constantin Treisalt
birth_date
birth_place	Tallinn, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire
(now in Harju County, Estonia)
death_date
death_place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
other_names	Juhan Treisalt
occupation	Actor
yearsactive	1942–1970
::

| name = Ivan Triesault | image = Ivan Triesault in One Step Beyond (The Dark Room).jpg | alt = | caption = Triesault in an episode of One Step Beyond (1959) | birth_name = Johann Constantin Treisalt | birth_date = | birth_place = Tallinn, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire (now in Harju County, Estonia) | death_date = | death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | nationality = | spouse = | children = | other_names = Juhan Treisalt | known_for = | occupation = Actor | yearsactive = 1942–1970

Ivan Triesault (born Johann Constantin Treisalt; – January 3, 1980) was an Estonian-American character actor and dancer, who appeared in some 130 film and television productions between 1943 and 1969.

Early life

Triesault was born Johann Treisalt (rendered in Estonian as Juhan Treisalt) in Tallinn, the son of Baltic German parents from the island of Hiiumaa. His father was a foreman in a furniture factory and his mother worked as an au pair for a wealthy family. Triesault's father died when he was five-years-old.

He made his first stage appearance at the German Theatre in Tallinn aged 12, before moving to the United States aged 18. He trained as a ballet dancer under famed choreographer Mikhail Fokine, and worked as his assistant for several years. Working for Russian-born Fokine, he adopted 'Ivan' as his given name (Ivan [Иван] is the Russian form of 'Johann').

Career

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/The_Amazing_Transparent_Man_(1960)_1.jpg" caption="Douglas Kennedy]], Ivan Triesault (center), and [[James Griffith]] in ''[[The Amazing Transparent Man]]'' (1960)."] ::

Triesault worked as a dancer and mime at Radio City Music Hall. During the 1920s, he worked with a touring theatre company in Europe, and furthered his acting studies in London. After returning to New York, he acted in various Broadway productions.

He made his debut in 1943's Mission to Moscow, a pro-Soviet propaganda film by Warner Bros., playing Mikhail Tukhachevsky. His notable roles include appearances in Cry of the Werewolf (1944), The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944), A Song to Remember (1945), Notorious (1946), 5 Fingers (1952), Jet Pilot (1957), Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959), The 300 Spartans (1962), It Happened in Athens (1962), Von Ryan's Express (1965), Batman (1966) and the TV series The Wild Wild West.

According to film historian Pekka Linnainen, Triesault is "the most successful Estonian actor in Hollywood history," who is "still completely unknown even in his home country." However, "fans of classic American cinema know his face".

Death

Triesault died in Los Angeles in 1980, aged 81, from cardiac failure.

Filmography

Film

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1943	Mission to Moscow	Marshal Mikhail Tukhachevsky	Uncredited
Hostages	Franta
**	Prince Hohenberg
1944	Five Were Chosen
Song of Russia	Comissar	Uncredited
In Our Time	Bujanski
Uncertain Glory	Saboteur
**	Martin Niemöller
**	Janssen Pharmacist's Mate	Uncredited
**	Colonel Pavlec
Days of Glory	German Lieutenant	Uncredited
The Mummy's Ghost	Scripps Museum Guide
Cry of the Werewolf	Jan Spavero
Strange Affair	Dr. Igor Baumler	Uncredited
1945	A Song to Remember	Nicolas Chopin
Escape in the Fog	Hausmer
Counter-Attack	Sgt. Johann Grillparzer
1946	Notorious	Eric Mathi
Crime Doctor's Man Hunt	Alfred 'Alfredi' Hempstead	Uncredited
**	Major Chavet
1947	The Crimson Key	Peter Vandaman
Golden Earrings	Maj. Reimann
Escape Me Never	Choreographer	Uncredited
1948	The Woman from Tangier	Rocheau
To the Ends of the Earth	Naftalie Vrandstadter	Uncredited
1949	Outpost in Morocco	Tribal Leader
Home in San Antone	Van Vliet, Jewel Thief
Johnny Allegro	Pelham Vetch
**	I.V. Morse
Battleground	German Captain	Uncredited
1950	D.O.A.	Photographer
Spy Hunt	Assassin
Kim	The Russian
1951	Target Unknown	German Lieutenant	Uncredited
My True Story	Alexis Delios
**	King George
**	German Major	Uncredited
My Favorite Spy	Gunman
1952	5 Fingers	Steuben
**	Von Ellstein
1953	Desert Legion	Cpl. H. Schmidt	Uncredited
Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation	Henri Dupre
Scandal at Scourie	Father Barrett	Uncredited
Young Bess	Danish Envoy
How to Marry a Millionaire	Phillip	Uncredited
Back to God's Country	Reinhardt
1954	Border River	Baron Von Hollden
Charge of the Lancers	Dr. Manus
**	Prof. Klauber's Assistant	Uncredited
**	Raoul
Her Twelve Men	Erik Haldeman
1955	**	Ludwig	Uncredited
1957	Top Secret Affair	German Field Marshal
**	Duke Alexander Michael David
Silk Stockings	Russian Embassy Official	Uncredited
Jet Pilot	Gen. Langrad
1958	**	German Colonel	Uncredited
Fraulein	Prof. Julius Angermann
Me and the Colonel	Polish Vice Consul	Uncredited
Mardi Gras	Bernard
1959	Journey to the Center of the Earth	Prof. Peter Göteborg
1960	I'll Give My Life	Dr. Neuman
**	Dr. Peter Ulof
Cimarron	Lewis Venable	Uncredited
1961	Go Naked in the World	Mons. Jacques Vrey
Barabbas	Emperor
1962	It Happened in Athens	Grandpa Loues/Mr. Trisapopolis
**	Demaratus
1963	**	Mr. Lindquist	Uncredited
1964	Viva Las Vegas	Head Captain
1965	Von Ryan's Express	SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Wilhelm von Kleist
1965	Morituri	Lt. Brandt
1966	Batman	West German Delegate	Uncredited
1969	**
1970	The Lady, or the Tiger?	The King
::

Television

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1952	Dangerous Assignment	Dr. Anacos	Episode: "The Iron Banner Story"
1953	**	The President	Episode: "A Tale of Two Cities: Part 2"
Ford Television Theatre	Lt. Schinkel	Episode: "The Jewel"
G.E. True Theater	Walter	Episode: "The Eye of the Beholder"
1954	City Detective	Hans Orby	Episode: "The Blonde Orchid"
**	Ernest Meckler	Episode: "Borderline Case"
Mystery Is My Business		Episode: "Mardi Gras"
Climax!		Episode: "Epitaph for a Spy"
1954–59	Schlitz Playhouse	Dr. Colman	2 Episodes: "At the Natchez Inn" and "And Practically Strangers"
1955	Passport to Danger	Hoenschen	Episode: "Rome"
Lux Video Theatre	Major Strasser	Episode: "Casablanca"
Soldiers of Fortune	Dr. Harman	Episode: "The Honor of Dr. Mazaro"
1955–56	Crusader	Thomas Ulm / August Bonner	2 episodes: "The Bargain" and "Berlin Love Story"
1956	Four Star Playhouse	Volpe	Episode: "Safe Keeping"
Matinee Theater	Urbain	Episode: "The American"
**	Von Bering	Episode: "The Trial of Edward Pritchard"
Playhouse 90	Carl Kersch	Episode: "Confession"
**	Steuben	Episode: "Operation Cicero"
1956–57	**	Maurice Toulouse	5 episodes
1956–57	Navy Log	German Officer	2 episodes: "The Helium Umbrella" and "After You, Ludwig"
1958	Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre	Ambassador	Episode: "Day of Glory"
Northwest Passage	Father Ricard	Episode: "The Hostage"
Man with a Camera	Doctor Kolberg	Episode: "Lady on the Loose"
1959	Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond	Inspector	Episode: "The Dark Room"
**	Dr. Fourtier	Episode: "The Indispensable Man"
Markham	Stephen Saltzman	Episode: "Double Negative"
World of Giants		Episode: "Gambling Story"
1959–64	Perry Mason	Fred Schoenbeck / Dr. Kleinman	2 episodes: "The Case of the Shattered Dream" and "The Case of a Place Called Midnight"
1960	Not for Hire	Masters / Mueller / Schoenberg	3 episodes
1962	Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color	Professor Levenson	2 episodes: "Escapade in Florence: Part 1" and "Escapade in Florence: Part 2"
1964–66	Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea	Commander / Klaus	2 episodes: "The Price of Doom" and "The Death Ship"
1965	**	Mitter	Episode: "Run for the Money"
Combat!	Doctor	Episode: "Odyssey"
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre	Baron	Episode: "The Game"
Burke's Law	Wexler	Episode: "The Man with the Power"
Honey West	Lazlo Shatzi	Episode: "Rockabye the Hard Way"
1966	Batman	Parkhurst	Episode: "The Clock King's Crazy Crimes"
**	Professor Voltan	Episode: "The Danish Blue Affair"
12 O'Clock High	Tanzman	Episode: "To Seek and Destroy"
1967	Mission: Impossible	Plantinov	Episode: "The Trial"
Hogan's Heroes	General von Katz	Episode: "D–Day at Stalag 13"
Felony Squad	Mannheim	Episode: "The Pat Hand of Death"
1967–69	**	Ambassador / Bishop Kucharyk	2 episodes: "The Night of the Cossacks" and "The Night of the Surreal McCoy", (final appearance)
1968	Garrison's Gorillas	Dr. Bergholtz / Dr. Moletti	2 episodes: "Time Bomb" and "The Big Lie"
Bonanza	Thad Borchik	Episode: "Commitment at Angelus"
It Takes a Thief	Kruger / Maitre	2 episodes: "Get Me to the Revolution on Time" and "It Takes One to Know One"
1969	Ironside	Dr. Driscoll	Episode: "In Search of an Artist"
::

Partial stage credits

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role(s)	Venue	Notes
1926	The Jeweled Tree	Face-Turned-Backward, Ahmes	48th Street Theatre, New York
1927–28	Harry Delmar's Revels	Performer	Shubert Theatre, New York
1933	Marathon	Luis Borkofski	Mansfield Theatre, New York
1936	Star Spangled	Prof. Jake Niebieski	John Golden Theatre, New York
1936–37	Hamlet	Ensemble member	Empire Theatre, New York
St. James Theatre, New York
1939	Foreigners	The Russian	Belasco Theatre, New York
1940	The Burning Deck	Nicholas	Maxine Elliott's Theatre, New York
Russian Bank	Revolutionary	St. James Theatre, New York
1941	The Walrus and the Carpenter	Corder	Cort Theatre, New York
::

References

References

1. [[St. John's Church, Tallinn. "E.E.L Kiriku Tallinna Jaani Koguduse I pihtkonna Personaalraamat. V". [[National Archives of Estonia]].
2. "III pihtkonna I personaalraamat". [[National Archives of Estonia]].
3. (January 17, 1959). "Character Portrayer Invents Own Accents". Courier-Post.
4. . (December 29, 2013). ["Juhan Treisalt, hiidlane Hollywoodis"](http://estofennia.eu/?p=712). *Estofennia*.
5. Linnainen, Pekka. (2018-05-21). "Ivan Triesault – Hollywoodin kuuluisin virolainen".
6. (December 4, 1958). "Triesault Is Last Hollywood Foreign-Villain Type". The Charlotte Observer.
7. "Eestlased on tegijad". Stemugram.
8. "Ivan Triesault – Broadway Cast & Staff {{!}} IBDB".
9. . "The lady or the tiger? ; and, A Discussion of Frank Stockton's The Lady, or the tiger?".
10. . ["Frank Stockton's story"](https://kids.britannica.com/kids/assembly/view/139771).
11. (September 25, 1959). "Action TV Online - The Third Man episode guide". Startrader.co.uk, from Radio Times.

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