Don Borisenko

Acting

Don Borisenko

Born 1939-05-22 · Longbranch, Ontario, Canada

Canadian performer who was seen in films and television from late 1950s to the 1970s. Called "the Canadian James Dean", after appearing in several features with success, Borisenko went to England where he had starring roles in two films by fellow Canadians: Sidney J. Furie's wartime melodrama "During One Night" (1960), and Mark Robson's account of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, "Nine Hours to Rama" (1963), in which he played Naryan Apte, the friend of Gandhi's murderer, Nathuram Vinayak Godse (played by Horst Buchholz). After he walked off the set of Robert Aldrich's "The Dirty Dozen" (1967), dissatisfied with his role (which was then given to Donald Sutherland), Borisenko appeared on different television shows, back in Canada and in England. Moving in the 1970s to Los Angeles, he changed his name to Jonas Wolfe, appeared in several films, as "Black Gunn" (1972) and "The Laughing Policeman" (1973), and opened a music club, where he reportedly gave the rock group Van Halen their first paying gig. Borisenko finally retired from acting and dedicated his life to poetry, painting and sculpture.

Acting credits

The Laughing Policeman poster
6.2

When a gunman opens fire on a crowded city bus in San Francisco, Detective Dave Evans is killed, along with the man he'd been following in relation to a murder. Evans' partner, Sgt. Jake Martin, becomes obsessed with solving the case.

The Laughing Policeman

1973

Genghis Khan poster
5.7

This is the story of the shy Mongol boy Temujin who,during the 13th century, becomes the fearless Mongol leader Genghis Khan that unites all Mongol tribes and conquers India,China,Persia,Korea and parts of Rusia,Europe and Middle-East.

Genghis Khan

1965

Black Gunn poster
6.0

A successful and popular nightclub owner who believes financial independence is the path to equality and success, must act as a go-between for militant-minded brother and the white gang syndicate his brother has attacked and robbed. Their involvements lead to a breathless race course chase, the destruction of a dopepusher and a violent waterfront climax.

Black Gunn

1972

Nine Hours to Rama poster
6.2

José Ferrer and Horst Buchholz star in this fictionalised account of events leading up to the assassination of Indian spiritual leader and independence campaigner Mahatma Gandhi.

Nine Hours to Rama

1963

Now That April's Here poster
8.0

An anthology based on the works of Canadian author Morley Callaghan “Silk Stockings” is about a shy teenager buying a gift out of love for his landlady’s daughter only to be disappointed in his affections. “Rocking Chair” is about a widower rebuffing his late wife’s friendship out of loyalty. “The Rejected One” is about a humble shop girl being insulted and scorned over supper by her rich boyfriend’s family. “A Sick Call” is about young woman returning to Catholicism on her sickbed over the objections of her Protestant husband, who fears religion will come between them during a priest’s visit.

Now That April's Here

1958

The Psychopath poster
6.4

Four men involved in the investigation of a German millionaire at the end of World War II are found murdered with tiny dolls beside their corpses.

The Psychopath

1966

Reddick poster
10.0

Charges that the Reverend 'Red' Reddick is exploiting his youth club members leads to an explosive confrontation.

Reddick

1971

During One Night poster
5.4

Story of a young U.S. Army officer, stationed in England during World War II, who is suddenly conscious of a desire to "prove" himself sexually.

During One Night

1961

No artwork available
7.0

Bunch of ruthless rich kids frame a gang of bikers for their crimes.

Ivy League Killers

1959

The Hired Gun poster
9.0

Gunman Don Borisenko is hired by the townsfolk to mete out justice to a cruel land baron. Instead, Borisenko gets romantically involved with Tass Tory, the wife of a local farmer. When the smoke clears, the gunman has killed the rancher, and the farmer has killed the gunman.

The Hired Gun

1961