Editing Albert Paulsen

{{Cast Data
|image=Cast - Albert Paulsen c. 1980s CE.jpg| character=[[Yodel|General Yodel]]
| series=1980
| born_month=12
| born_day=13
| born_year=1925
| death_month=04
| death_day=25
| death_year=2004
| nationality=EC
| imdb=667292
| sortkey=Paulsen, Albert
|image2=Yodel.jpg}}

'''Albert Paulsen''' (born Alberto Paulson Andrade; December 13, 1925 – April 25, 2004) was an Ecuadorian-American actor who portrayed [[Yodel|General Yodel]] in the ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' episodes "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II]]" and "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III]]."<ref group="external" name="imdb_paulsen_galactica">{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0667292/#:~:text=Galactica%201980,2%20episodes|title=Albert Paulsen|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref><ref group="external" name="myneatstuff_galactica_episodes">{{cite web|url=https://myneatstuff.ca/store/trivia-paulsen.php#:~:text=Galactica%201980,Part%202%20and%203|title=Albert Paulsen Filmography|publisher=My Neat Stuff|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

== Early Life ==

Paulsen was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on December 13, 1925, to Alfredo Paulson Moulis and Zoila María Andrade Flor, who died shortly after his birth.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_birth_parents">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Naci%C3%B3%20en%20Guayaquil%20el%2013%20de%20Diciembre%20de%201925%20y%20fueron%20sus%20padres%20leg%C3%ADtimos%20Alfredo%20Paulson%20Moulis%20y%20Zoila%20Andrade%20Flor%20quien%20falleci%C3%B3%20poco%20despu%C3%A9s|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He was one of five siblings in the Paulson Andrade household.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_siblings">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%20hogar%20de%20los%20Paulson%20Andrade%20se%20compon%C3%ADa%20de%20cinco%20hermanos|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> From an early age, Paulsen demonstrated a passion for theater, often letting his hair grow long and wrapping himself in sheets to perform Hamlet monologues in front of a mirror.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_childhood_theater">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Se%20dejaba%20el%20pelo%20largo%2C%20algo%20inusual%20en%20esos%20tiempos%2C%20a%20veces%20se%20pon%C3%ADa%20s%C3%A1banas%20frente%20al%20espejo%20y%20hac%C3%ADa%20Hamlet|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

He studied for three years at the German School in Quito and in 1933 returned to Guayaquil, where he attended the Cristóbal Colón and San José schools.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_education">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Estudi%C3%B3%20tres%20a%C3%B1os%20en%20el%20Colegio%20Alem%C3%A1n%20de%20Quito%20y%20en%201933%20volvi%C3%B3%20a%20Guayaquil%2C%20a%20los%20Colegios%20Crist%C3%B3bal%20Col%C3%B3n%20y%20San%20Jos%C3%A9|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He completed three years of secondary education at Vicente Rocafuerte but did not continue following his father's death, which left him feeling alone in the world.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_fathers_death">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=hizo%20tres%20a%C3%B1os%20de%20secundaria%20en%20el%20Vicente%20Rocafuerte%20y%20no%20quiso%20continuar%20pues%20la%20muerte%20de%20su%20padre%20le%20produjo%20un%20hondo%20vac%C3%ADo|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

In 1940, due to his family's difficult economic situation, Paulsen began working for the Grace Line shipping company, followed by two years as a flight dispatcher for Panagra airlines, a position he lost due to conflicts with superiors.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_early_employment">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=En%201940%2C%20dada%20la%20mala%20situaci%C3%B3n%20econ%C3%B3mica%20de%20su%20hogar%2C%20comenz%C3%B3%20a%20trabajar%20en%20la%20Grace%20Line%2C%20despu%C3%A9s%20fue%20dos%20a%C3%B1os%20despachador%20de%20aviones%20de%20Panagra|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> In November 1943, as a complete orphan at age eighteen, he emigrated to the United States.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_emigration">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=En%20Noviembre%20de%201943%2C%20hu%C3%A9rfano%20completo%2C%20emigr%C3%B3%20a%20los%20Estados%20Unidos.%20Solo%20ten%C3%ADa%20dieciecho%20a%C3%B1os|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

=== Immigration and Military Service ===

Upon arriving in the United States as an undocumented immigrant, Paulsen initially worked at a shipyard in Los Angeles.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_shipyard">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=no%20tuvo%20problema%20para%20encontrar%20trabajo%20y%20por%20un%20tiempo%20fue%20obrero%20en%20un%20astillero%20de%20vapores%20de%20Los%20%C3%81ngeles|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> After traveling to New York, he was discovered by customs officials and, as an illegal immigrant during World War II, was recruited into military service.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_military_recruitment">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Despu%C3%A9s%20viaj%C3%B3%20a%20New%20York%2C%20lo%20encontraron%20los%20miembros%20de%20la%20Aduana%20y%20como%20era%20ilegal%20fue%20reclutado|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He became a United States citizen in Tacoma, Washington, in 1945, at which time he changed his name slightly from Alberto Paulson to Albert Paulsen.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_citizenship_name_change">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=se%20hizo%20ciudadano%20norteamericano%20en%20Tacoma%2C%20Estado%20de%20Washington%2C%20en%201945%20cambiando%20ligeramente%20su%20nombre%20y%20apellido%20pues%20pas%C3%B3%20a%20llamarse%20Albert%20Paulsen|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

Between 1945 and 1946, Paulsen served eighteen months at the military base in Frankfurt, Germany.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_frankfurt_service">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Entre%20el%2045%20y%20el%2046%20sirvi%C3%B3%20a%C3%B1o%20y%20medio%20en%20la%20Base%20Militar%20de%20Frankfurt%2C%20Alemania|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> Upon receiving an honorable discharge, the Army provided him with educational benefits through the famous 52-20 bonus program, which offered twenty dollars per week for fifty-two weeks to help veterans decide their futures.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_gi_bill">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Licenciado%20con%20honores%2C%20el%20ej%C3%A9rcito%20le%20concedi%C3%B3%20la%20oportunidad%20de%20seguir%20estudiando%20con%20gastos%20pagados%20a%20trav%C3%A9s%20de%20uno%20de%20los%20famosos%20bonos%2052%2D20|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Training ===

Using his G.I. Bill benefits, Paulsen enrolled in New York's oldest and most prestigious theater school, the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, where Martha Graham had taught dance and where he studied under Sanford Meisner, learning the Meisner technique until his graduation in 1951.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_neighborhood_playhouse">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=se%20matricul%C3%B3%20en%20la%20m%C3%A1s%20antigua%20y%20afamada%20escuela%20de%20teatro%20de%20New%20York%2C%20la%20%22Neighborhood%20Playhouse%20School%20of%20Theatre%22%20donde%20hab%C3%ADa%20ense%C3%B1ado%20danza%20la%20legendaria%20Martha%20Graham%20y%20tuvo%20de%20maestro%20a%20Sanford%20Meisner|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He then joined Robert Lewis's Professional Group for three years and auditioned for the Actors Studio, where he was selected from among one thousand applicants.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_actors_studio">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Enseguida%20ingres%C3%B3%20al%20Grupo%20Profesional%20de%20Robert%20Lewis%20por%20tres%20a%C3%B1os%20y%20en%20el%20%22Actor%20%CC%81s%20Studio%22%20realiz%C3%B3%20una%20audici%C3%B3n%20y%20fue%20escogido%20entre%20mil%20solicitantes|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He eventually became a life member of The Actors Studio, studying with Lee Strasberg.<ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_training">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=After%20immigrating%20to%20the%20United%20States%20and%20serving%20in%20World%20War%20II%2C%20he%20used%20the%20G.I.%20Bill%20to%20study%20acting%20at%20the%20Neighborhood%20Playhouse%20under%20Sanford%20Meisner%20and%20at%20the%20Actors%20Studio%20with%20Lee%20Stras%2D%20berg|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

In 1947, Paulsen witnessed Marlon Brando's performance in ''[[w:A Streetcar Named Desire (play)|A Streetcar Named Desire]]'', directed by Elia Kazan on Broadway, an experience that profoundly impacted him and inspired him to reach that level of artistic excellence.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_brando_influence">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%2047%20hab%C3%ADa%20presenciado%20en%20los%20escenarios%20de%20Boadway%20la%20actuaci%C3%B3n%20de%20Marlon%20Brando%20dirigido%20por%20Elia%20Kazan%20en%20%22Un%20tranv%C3%ADa%20llamado%20deseo%22|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

=== Stage Career ===

Paulsen's first theatrical production was "The Rope" with James Broderick, which led to his admission into the National Actors Union.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_first_production">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=La%20primera%20obra%20de%20teatro%20que%20realiz%C3%B3%20fue%20%22La%20Soga%22%20con%20James%20Broderick%20y%20entr%C3%B3%20a%20la%20Uni%C3%B3n%20Nacional%20de%20Actores%20Teatrales|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He subsequently performed in an adaptation of Balzac's "Father Goriot," the leading role in Molière's "Don Juan," Adamov's "Ping Pong," and made his off-Broadway debut in "Night Circus" alongside Ben Gazzara.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_early_stage_roles">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Luego%20hizo%20%22Pap%C3%A1%20Goriot%22%20en%20adaptaci%C3%B3n%20a%20la%20obra%20de%20Balzac,y%20fuera%20de%20Broadway%20debut%C3%B3%20con%20%22Nigth%20Circus%22%20(Circo%20Nocturno)%20con%20Ben%20Gazzara|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

Paulsen received his first well-paid theatrical work in George Bernard Shaw's "Arms and the Man" alongside Carroll Baker in a three-month tour of the western United States that included Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_shaw_tour">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Al%20poco%20tiempo%20tuvo%20la%20oportunidad%20de%20representar%20un%20primer%20trabajo%20bien%20remunerado%20en%20la%20obra%20de%20Bernard%20Shaw%20%22Arms%20and%20the%20Man%22%20(Las%20Armas%20y%20el%20Hombre)%20al%20lado%20de%20Caroll%20Baker|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> In 1960, he was contracted for seven months to work in San Francisco theaters, though he was eventually dismissed from "The Miracle Worker" due to problems with alcohol.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_miracle_worker">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=En%201960%20fue%20contratado%20por%20siete%20meses%20para%20ir%20a%20trabajar%20a%20los%20teatros%20de%20San%20Francisco,por%20problemas%20de%20bebida%20fue%20despedido%20de%20%22The%20Miracle%20Worker|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

Paulsen performed on Broadway with Geraldine Page in Anton Chekhov's ''[[w:Three Sisters (play)|The Three Sisters]]'' in 1964 under the direction of Lee Strasberg, in a superproduction featuring Kim Stanley, George C. Scott, Shirley Knight, Kevin McCarthy, and Robert Loggia.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_three_sisters_broadway">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%2064%20apareci%C3%B3%20en%20The%20Three%20Sisters%22%20(Las%20Tres%20Hermanas)%20de%20Ant%C3%B3n%20Chejov%20bajo%20la%20direcci%C3%B3n%20de%20Lee%20Strassberg%20con%20los%20actores%20Kin%20Stanfey%2C%20Geraldine%20Page%2C%20George%20C.%20Scott%2C%20Shirley%20Knight|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> In 1965, he traveled with the production to London, where he received significant publicity.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_three_sisters_london">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=volvi%C3%B3%20a%20representar%20en%20%22The%20Three%20Sisters%22%20viajando%20con%20dicha%20compa%C3%B1%C3%ADa%20a%20Londres%20donde%20recibi%C3%B3%20gran%20publicidad|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He also appeared in a motion picture version of the play.<ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_three_sisters_film">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=He%20also%20acted%20in%20a%20motion%20picture%20version%20of%20that%20play|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

An avid reader who revered novelist Vladimir Nabokov, Paulsen created a one-man show titled "Nabokov," which premiered at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles in 1982 before touring nationally.<ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_nabokov_show">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=An%20avid%20reader%2C%20Paulsen%20so%20revered%20novelist%20Vladimir%20Nabokov%20that%20he%20created%20a%20one%2Dman%20show%2C%20%22Nabokov%2C%22%20which%20premiered%20at%20the%20Odyssey%20Theatre%20in%201982%20before%20touring%20the%20country|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He wrote this monologue after losing all his capital, including his house, during an eight-month Hollywood industry strike in 1981.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_strike_monologue">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=al%20a%C3%B1o%20siguiente%20perdi%C3%B3%20todo%20su%20capital%2C%20incluso%20la%20casa%20que%20habla%20adquirido%2C%20durante%20la%20huelga%20de%20ocho%20meses%20de%20la%20Industria%20de%20Hollywood%3B%20sin%20embargo%2C%20pudo%20aprovechar%20ese%20tiempo%20y%20escribi%C3%B3%20un%20mon%C3%B3logo|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> A ''Los Angeles Times'' reviewer described the performance as having a gentle, infectious quality that brought one of the century's great writers to life.<ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_nabokov_review">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=A%20Times%20reviewer%20called%20it%20%22a%20rewarding%20and%20unusual%20one%2Dman%20show%22%20and%20wrote%3A%20%22The%20performance%20is%20gentle%2C%20infectious%2C%20touched%20occasionally%20with%20a%20certain%20absent%2Dminded%20charm%20that%20brings%20to%20life%20for%2070%20minutes%20one%20of%20the%20century%27s%20great%20writers.%22|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

=== Film Career ===

Director John Frankenheimer provided Paulsen a crucial opportunity during his difficult period, casting him in ''[[w:All Fall Down|All Fall Down]]'' (1962) with Warren Beatty, Karl Malden, and Angela Lansbury.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_all_fall_down">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=le%20salv%C3%B3%20el%20Director%20John%20Frankenheimer%20que%20le%20llev%C3%B3%20a%20%22All%20fall%20down%22%20con%20Warren%20Beaty%2C%20Kart%20Malden%20y%20Angela%20Landsbury|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> That same year, Frankenheimer cast him in ''[[w:The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]'' as the Soviet agent Zilkov, alongside Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey, a film that achieved tremendous success.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_manchurian_candidate">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%2062%20le%20dio%20otro%20rol%20en%20%22The%20Manchur%C3%ADan%20Candidate%22%20(El%20Embajador%20del%20Miedo)%20con%20Frank%20Sinatra%2C%20Laurence%20Harvey%2C%20etc.%20film%20que%20obtuvo%20much%C3%ADsimo%20%C3%A9xito|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

Other film credits included ''[[w:Che! (film)|Che!]]'' (1969), ''[[w:The Laughing Policeman (film)|The Laughing Policeman]]'' (1973) with Walter Matthau, ''[[w:Young Frankenstein|Young Frankenstein]]'' (1974), ''[[w:Gunn (film)|Gunn]]'' (1967), ''[[w:The Next Man|The Next Man]]'' (1976) with Sean Connery, and ''[[w:Eyewitness (1981 film)|Eyewitness]]'' (1981) with William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_films">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%2073%20hizo%20%22Carola%22,tambi%C3%A9n%20film%C3%B3%20en%20San%20Francisco%20%22The%20laughfing%20Policeman%22%20con%20Walter%20Mathau,El%2074,una%20pel%C3%ADcula%20con%20Sean%20Connery%20%22The%20next%20man%22,El%2080%20film%C3%B3%20la%20pel%C3%ADcula%20%22Eyewtness%22%20con%20Willlam%20Hurt%2C%20Sigourney%20Waver|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

=== Television Career ===
[[File:Historical - Los Angeles, CA - 1973 (L-R) Albert Paulsen, Lorne Greene appearing in the ABC tv series 'Griff', episode 'Marked for Murder'.jpg|thumb|[[Albert Paulsen]] (left) appears with [[Lorne Greene]] (right) in the 1973 ''[[w:Griff (TV series)|Griff]]'' television series episode "Marked for Murder."]]
With his pronounced accent and distinctive presence, Paulsen became one of television's most recognizable character actors during the 1960s and 1970s, specializing in portrayals of Eastern European characters, Nazi officers, Communist agents, and sophisticated villains.<ref group="external" name="imdb_paulsen_bio_accent">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0667292/bio/#:~:text=Albert%20Paulsen%27s%20pronounced%20accent%20and%20clipped%20manner%20may%20have%20marked%20him%20as%20German%2C%20Austrian%20or%20some%20East%20European%20nationality|title=Albert Paulsen Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> His foreign accent proved invaluable for these roles, and he specialized in playing villainous characters.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_accent_advantage">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Se%20hab%C3%ADa%20especializado%20en%20roles%20de%20personajes%20malos%20y%20su%20acento%20extranjero%20le%20sirvi%C3%B3%20para%20trabajar|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

He earned an Emmy Award in 1964 for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor for his portrayal of Lieutenant Volkovoi, a guard at a Soviet gulag, in the 1963 production of "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" on ''[[w:Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre|Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre]]'', adapted from the Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn novel and starring Jason Robards.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_emmy">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%2063%20trabaj%C3%B3%20en%20el%20famoso%20Chrisler%20Theatre%20y%20en%20la%20Televisi%C3%B3n%20hizo%20el%20papel%20de%20un%20guardia%20en%20una%20de%20las%20prisiones%20sovi%C3%A9ticas%20en%20Siberia%20en%20el%20largometraje%20adaptado%20%22One%20day%20in%20the%20Life%20of%20Ivan%20Denisovitch%22%20junto%20a%20Jason%20Robards,Con%20esta%20actuaci%C3%B3n%20gan%C3%B3%20el%20Premio%20Emmy|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref><ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_paulsen_emmy">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/albert-paulsen-78-emmy-winning-performer#:~:text=known%20for%20three%20decades%20of%20supporting%20roles%20including%20a%201963%20Emmy%2Dwinning%20performance%20with%20Jason%20Robards%20in%20%22One%20Day%20in%20the%20Life%20of%20Ivan%20Denisovich%2C%22|title=Albert Paulsen, 78 Emmy-winning performer|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> According to his nephew's account, Paulsen did not attend the Emmy ceremony that night because he had been drinking excessively.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_emmy_night">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=la%20noche%20de%20la%20premiaci%C3%B3n%20no%20pudo%20asistir%20a%20recogerlo%20porque%20estaba%20pasado%20de%20copas|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

When the Emmy was announced, Paulsen was working on an episode of ''[[w:The Man from U.N.C.L.E.|The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]'' Series star Robert Vaughn, realizing that Paulsen had not been formally presented with his Emmy, obtained the statuette and handed it to Paulsen in a special ceremony on the show's set.<ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_vaughn_presentation">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=When%20series%20star%20Robert%20Vaughn%20realized%20that%20Paulsen%20had%20not%20formally%20been%20presented%20with%20the%20Emmy%2C%20he%20obtained%20the%20statuette%20and%20handed%20it%20to%20Paulsen%20in%20a%20special%20ceremony%20on%20the%20%22U.N.C.L.E.%22%20set|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

Paulsen appeared in numerous popular television series including ''[[w:Combat!|Combat!]]'' (four episodes, 1962-1966),<ref group="external" name="myneatstuff_combat">{{cite web|url=https://myneatstuff.ca/store/trivia-paulsen.php#:~:text=Combat!,Forgotten%20Front%20(1962)|title=Albert Paulsen Filmography|publisher=My Neat Stuff|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> ''[[w:Mission: Impossible|Mission: Impossible]]'' (five episodes, 1966-1970),<ref group="external" name="myneatstuff_mission_impossible">{{cite web|url=https://myneatstuff.ca/store/trivia-paulsen.php#:~:text=Mission%3A%20Impossible,Memory%20(1966)|title=Albert Paulsen Filmography|publisher=My Neat Stuff|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> ''[[w:The Man from U.N.C.L.E.|The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]'' (three episodes),<ref group="external" name="myneatstuff_man_from_uncle">{{cite web|url=https://myneatstuff.ca/store/trivia-paulsen.php#:~:text=The%20Man%20from%20U.N.C.L.E.,The%20Terbuf%20Affair%20(1964)|title=Albert Paulsen Filmography|publisher=My Neat Stuff|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> ''[[w:Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]'' (four episodes, 1969-1980),<ref group="external" name="myneatstuff_hawaii_fiveo">{{cite web|url=https://myneatstuff.ca/store/trivia-paulsen.php#:~:text=Hawaii%20Five%2DO,Just%20Lucky%2C%20I%20Guess%20(1969)|title=Albert Paulsen Filmography|publisher=My Neat Stuff|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> ''[[w:77 Sunset Strip|77 Sunset Strip]]'', ''[[w:The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]'', ''[[w:The F.B.I. (TV series)|The F.B.I.]]'', ''[[w:I Spy (1965 TV series)|I Spy]]'', ''[[w:The Rockford Files|The Rockford Files]]'', ''[[w:Columbo|Columbo]]'', ''[[w:Kojak|Kojak]]'', ''[[w:The Rat Patrol|The Rat Patrol]]'', ''[[w:12 O'Clock High (TV series)|12 O'Clock High]]'', ''[[w:Starsky and Hutch|Starsky and Hutch]]'', ''[[w:Charlie's Angels|Charlie's Angels]]'', ''[[w:Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]'', ''[[w:Airwolf|Airwolf]]'', and ''[[w:Scarecrow and Mrs. King|Scarecrow and Mrs. King]]''.<ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_television_roles">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=On%20television%2C%20Paulsen%20had%20guest%20roles%20on%20such%20popular%20series%20as%20%22Combat%2C%22%20%2277%20Sunset%20Strip%2C%22%20%22The%20Untouchables%2C%22%20%22The%20F.B.I.%2C%22%20%22I%20Spy%2C%22%20%22The%20Rockford%20Files%2C%22%20%22Hawaii%20Five%2DO%22%20and%20%22Mission%3A%20Impossible.%22|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

He appeared in the 1974 television film ''[[w:The Missiles of October|The Missiles of October]]'', portraying Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin in the acclaimed ABC dramatization of the Cuban Missile Crisis.<ref group="external" name="eyesonly_paulsen_missiles_october">{{cite web|url=https://for-your-eyes-only.com/Site/APaulsen_obit.html#:~:text=Ten%20years%20later%20he%20played%20Soviet%20Ambassador%20Anatoly%20Dobrynin%20in%20%22The%20Missiles%20of%20October%2C%22%20the%20acclaimed%20ABC%20special%20dramatizing%20the%20Cuban%20Missile%20Crisis|title=Albert Paulsen - OBITUARIES FOR YOUR EYES ONLY|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He also appeared in lighter roles, including an episode of ''[[w:The Odd Couple (1970 TV series)|The Odd Couple]]'' as Boris Kalnikov, a European opera star.<ref group="external" name="myneatstuff_odd_couple">{{cite web|url=https://myneatstuff.ca/store/trivia-paulsen.php#:~:text=The%20Odd%20Couple,The%20Roy%20Clark%20Show%20(1975)|title=Albert Paulsen Filmography|publisher=My Neat Stuff|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

His only prime-time series regular role was in the short-lived 1975 NBC medical drama ''[[w:Doctors' Hospital|Doctors' Hospital]]'', where he played Dr. Janos Varga, the director of a Los Angeles hospital alongside series star George Peppard.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_doctors_hospital">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Entre%20el%2075%20y%20el%2076%20hizo%20una%20serie%20con%20George%20Peppard%20titulada%20%22Doctors%20Hospital%22|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He also had regular roles in two daytime serials: the 1970 ABC soap opera ''[[w:A World Apart (TV series)|A World Apart]]'' and ABC's ''[[w:General Hospital|General Hospital]]'' in 1988, which marked some of his last television work.<ref group="external" name="eyesonly_paulsen_soap_operas">{{cite web|url=https://for-your-eyes-only.com/Site/APaulsen_obit.html#:~:text=Paulsen%20did%2C%20however%2C%20take%20regular%20roles%20in%20two%20daytime%20serials.%20He%20was%20part%20of%20the%20original%20cast%20of%20ABC%27s%20unsuccessful%201970%20soap%20opera%20A%20World%20Apart%2C%20and%20some%20of%20his%20last%20TV%20work%20was%20seen%20in%201988%20in%20ABC%27s%20veteran%20soap%20General%20Hospital|title=Albert Paulsen - OBITUARIES FOR YOUR EYES ONLY|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

== Personal Life ==

In 1966, Paulsen was living in a common-law marriage in New York with a woman who had been previously married and had children from her prior marriage, whom Paulsen raised as his own.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_marriage">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Viv%C3%ADa%20en%20%22Common%20law%20wife%22%20en%20New%20York%20con%20su%20se%C3%B1ora%2C%20sin%20hijos.%20Ella%20hab%C3%ADa%20sido%20casada%20con%20anterioridad%20y%20tenia%20familia%20que%20cri%C3%B3%20Paulsen%20como%20suyos|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> The relationship ended eleven years later.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_marriage_end">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=pero%20la%20uni%C3%B3n%20termin%C3%B3%20once%20a%C3%B1os%20despu%C3%A9s|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

Paulsen struggled with alcoholism throughout his career. In 1967, his drinking problem intensified,<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_alcoholism_1967">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%2067%20se%20le%20agudiz%C3%B3%20su%20problema%20de%20alcoholismo|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> and in 1968, while working on a television serial in Hollywood, he suffered a perforated ulcer and was rushed to the hospital in grave condition.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_ulcer">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%2068,estando%20en%20Hollywood%20haciendo%20una%20serial%20de%20Televisi%C3%B3n%2C%20se%20le%20perfor%C3%B3%20una%20%C3%BAlcera%20y%20fue%20llevado%20de%20urgencia%20al%20hospital%20en%20grave%20condici%C3%B3n|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> After this incident, he stopped drinking bourbon entirely, understanding he needed to change for the better.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_sobriety">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Desde%20entonces%20no%20volvi%C3%B3%20a%20probar%20el%20Bourbon%2C%20al%20que%20hab%C3%ADa%20sido%20tan%20aficionado%2C%20pues%20comprendi%C3%B3%20que%20deb%C3%ADa%20cambiar%20para%20bien|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

In November 1995, after fifty-three years of absence, Paulsen returned to Ecuador to visit his family, with whom he had always maintained contact through letters and telephone calls.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_ecuador_visit">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=En%20Noviembre%20del%2095%20regres%C3%B3%20al%20Ecuador%20tras%20cincuenta%20y%20tres%20a%C3%B1os%20de%20ausencia%2C%20vino%20a%20visitar%20a%20los%20suyos%20con%20quienes%20siempre%20hab%C3%ADa%20estado%20en%20contacto%20de%20cartas%20o%20llamadas%20telef%C3%B3nicas|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> His visit prompted a family celebration with the entire Paulson family, where he met many relatives. He returned to Los Angeles after six days, as he no longer had ties to Ecuador, coming essentially to retrace his steps as he was already experiencing the first effects of the illness that would ultimately claim his life.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_final_visit">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=se%20volvi%C3%B3%20a%20Los%20%C3%81ngeles%20a%20los%20seis%20d%C3%ADas%20pues%20ya%20nada%20ten%C3%ADa%20que%20ver%20con%20nuestro%20pa%C3%ADs.%20Vino%2C%20lo%20que%20se%20dice%2C%20a%20recoger%20sus%20pasos%2C%20pues%20sent%C3%ADa%20los%20primeros%20estragos%20del%20mal%20que%20le%20llevar%C3%ADa%20a%20la%20tumba|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

Paulsen's final years were difficult as he lived alone and suffered from Alzheimer's disease.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_alzheimers">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Los%20%C3%BAltimos%20a%C3%B1os%20de%20su%20vida%20fueron%20dif%C3%ADciles%20pues%20estaba%20solo%20y%20aquejado%20de%20Alzheimer|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> During his time in a nursing home, he formed a romantic connection with actress Peggy Sell (also known as Annalisa "Peggy" Sell Cranston), the mother of actor [[w:Bryan Cranston|Bryan Cranston]], who was also suffering from Alzheimer's disease.<ref group="external" name="newsner_paulsen_cranston_connection">{{cite web|url=https://explore.newsner.com/bryan-cranston-abandoned-father-parents-alcoholic-child-neglect-divorce#:~:text=During%20her%20time%20in%20the%20nursing%20home%2C%20she%20even%20romantically%20connected%20with%20the%20actor%2C%20Albert%20Paulsen%2C%20who%20was%20suffering%20from%20the%20same%20condition%20as%20her|title=Bryan Cranston, who was abandoned by both his parents, said it would've been easier if "they died in a car crash"|publisher=Newsner|date=July 10, 2020|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

He died on Sunday, April 25, 2004, in Los Angeles at the age of 78 from natural causes.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_death">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=Muri%C3%B3%20el%20domingo%2025%20de%20Abril%20del%202004%20en%20Los%20%C3%81ngeles%20de%20setenta%20y%20ocho%20a%C3%B1os%20de%20edad|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref><ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_death">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=He%20was%2078.%20Paulsen%20died%20Sunday%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20of%20natural%20causes|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref> He was survived by his brother Juan.<ref group="external" name="latimes_obit_paulsen_survivors">{{cite web|url=https://thenabokovian.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/NABOKV-L-0009715___body.html#:~:text=He%20is%20survived%20by%20a%20brother%2C%20Juan|title=Albert Paulsen Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2004|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

== Legacy ==

In 2017, the Alberto Paulsen Acting Studio was inaugurated in the Las Peñas neighborhood of Guayaquil as a way of commemorating his life and work, training young people in theater under the auspices of the Municipality and the endorsement of the Ministry of Culture, directed by his nephew Carlos Icaza Paulson.<ref group="external" name="perezpimentel_paulsen_acting_studio">{{cite web|url=https://rodolfoperezpimentel.com/paulson-andrade-alberto/#:~:text=El%202017%20se%20inaugur%C3%B3%20en%20el%20barrio%20Las%20Pe%C3%B1as%20(Guayaquil)%20el%20Estudio%20Actoral%20que%20lleva%20su%20nombre%2C%20como%20una%20forma%20de%20recordar%20su%20vida%20y%20obra%20en%20el%20exterior%2C%20a%20trav%C3%A9s%20de%20la%20formaci%C3%B3n%20de%20numerosos%20j%C3%B3venes%20de%20ambos%20sexos%20que%20como%20%C3%A9l%20tienen%20las%20ansias%20de%20hacer%20teatro|title=PAULSON ANDRADE ALBERTO|author=Rodolfo Perez Pimentel|accessdate=November 7, 2025}}</ref>

== References ==

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

[[Category:Cast (1980)]]
[[Category:Actors]]
[[Category:Deceased]]