Savelly Kramarov; Russian Comedian Traded Fame for Freedom

Savelly Kramarov, 60, beloved Russian comedian who fled his Soviet fame for religious freedom and far smaller film roles in the United States. Kramarov, who came to the United States 13 years ago, had been a major film actor and comedian in the Soviet Union and his work was often compared to that of Jerry Lewis. In the United States, Kramarov is best remembered as the hot-dog-selling KGB operative in “Moscow on the Hudson.” He also played a Soviet cosmonaut in the film “2010,” a Russian ambassador in “Red Heat” and a Russian sailor in “Love Affair.” Born in Moscow, Kramarov graduated from the prestigious Soviet State Film School known as VGIK. After making 42 films in Russia, Kramarov became an Orthodox Jew and applied to emigrate to Israel. The Soviets barred his exit for some time, but finally permitted him to leave for Israel in 1982. At that time, he moved instead to New York. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Kramarov made several trips back to Russia and became a spokesman for Union Card, the first Russian credit card. On Tuesday in San Francisco of cancer.