Arnold Moss, a renowned character actor, was born on January 28, 1910, in Brooklyn, a far cry from the aristocratic London upbringing one might expect given his refined demeanor, impeccable diction, and resonant bass voice. A man of exceptional education, Moss was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate with a Master's degree in French and a Ph.D. in theater, initially planning a career as a teacher before the acting bug bit him and he pursued a life on the stage.
Moss's extensive stage training and remarkable voice ensured him a steady stream of employment on radio, where he spent many years writing as well as acting. He made his film debut in 1946 and went on to specialize in urbane villainy, playing a wide range of roles including Arab chieftains, Mexican bandits, and Indian maharajahs throughout his career.
In addition to his film work, Moss was prolific in television, appearing in numerous productions from the early 1950s onward. He made a notable appearance on Star Trek in 1966 as the enigmatic actor Anton Karidian, alter ego of the ruthless Kodos the Executioner, in the episode "The Conscience of the King". Moss also took to the Broadway stage, starring as impresario Dimitri Weissman in the original production of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies".
Sadly, Arnold Moss passed away at the age of 79 on December 15, 1989, due to complications from lung cancer in his native New York City.
