Ted Rusoff was a remarkably versatile dubbing editor, director, and voice actor whose career spanned several decades. Beginning his journey as an opera singer in Los Angeles in the early 1960s, he transitioned into the world of ADR work at American International Pictures, thanks to his uncle, Samuel Z. Arkoff. In the late 1960s, Arkoff sent Rusoff to Italy to modernize the dubbing processes to align with American standards. He ended up settling in Rome, where he would spend the remainder of his life.
Throughout his career, Rusoff's voice became synonymous with the English-language adaptations of over 250 films from Italy, Japan, Russia, and various European countries. He also contributed his vocal talents to prominent American productions, including Martin Scorsese's THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST. In the late 1970s, Rusoff expanded his craft to on-screen acting, easily securing roles due to the demand for English-speaking actors in Italy. He shared the screen with notable talents such as Bob Hoskins and Max von Sydow, and collaborated with renowned dubbing figures like Robert Rietty and Mickey Knox.
Often cast as monks and religious figures, Rusoff appeared in biblical films like THE DAY CHRIST DIED and THE NATIVITY STORY. One of his most significant roles was as the chief elder in PASSION OF THE CHRIST, where he also served as the chief translator, utilizing his fluency in languages including Hebrew and ancient Aramaic.
Rusoff's personal life was equally colorful; he married fellow voice actor Carolyn De Fonseca in an open relationship and fathered nine daughters over 40 years, with one being an infant at the time of his passing in 2013.
