Persoff was born in Jerusalem in 1919 and established a substantial career in the U.S. as a noted actor of television, stage and film. He first showed up on the show business scene in the late 1940s and remained a steady working actor for more than half a century.

After emigrating to the U.S., Persoff studied at The Actors Studio with Julie Harris, Cloris Leachman, James Whitmore, Marlon Brando, Eli Wallach and Kim Hunter. Numerous television, film an stage roles would follow.

In terms of motion pictures, Persoff's appearances were few, but he did have roles in two notable films. In the 1954 classic "On the Waterfront," Persoff appeared (un-credited) as a cab driver in a brief scene with Marlon Brando. In 1959, Persoff turned in a comic performance as the gangster Little Bonaparte  opposite Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis in "Some Like It Hot." Later in his career, Persoff voiced the role of another Papa, this time as "Papa Mouskewitz" in the series of animated features, "An American Tail."

On stage, Persoff has appeared in thirteen legitimate Broadway productions along with numerous regional performances., including a turn as Tevya in a touring production of "Fiddler on the Roof."