Born in Chicago, IL. Entered American films as a composer/conductor for RIDERS TO THE STARS (1954). He worked a lot in television composing music and/or themes for "Bonanza," "Dr. Kildare," "Daniel Boone," "The High Chapparal," "Gentle Ben" and "The Cowboys." Other notable film scoring credits include GOG (1954), BATTLE TAXI and A BULLET FOR JOEY (both 1955), SCREAMING EAGLES (1956), FORTY GUNS, FURY AT SHOWDOWN and SABU AND THE MAGIC RING (all 1957), UNDERWATER WARRIOR and OUTCASTS OF THE CITY (both 1958), THE HANGMAN, VERBOTEN! and THE CRIMSON KIMONO (all 1959), SONG WITHOUT END (1960), UNDERWORLD U.S.A. (1961), MADISON AVENUE (1963), GUNS OF DIABLO (1964), AROUND THE WORLD UNDER THE SEA (1966), WELCOME TO HARD TIMES and THE NAKED RUNNER (both 1967), THE PRIVATE NAVY OF SGT. O'FARRELL and IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM GO! (both 1968), and MISTER KINGSTREET'S WAR (1973). Sukman was music adaptor for FANNY (1961) and did the musical adaptation for THE SINGING NUN (1966). His daughter is Hollywood casting director Susan McCray.  Music Scoring Awards (Scoring of a Musical Picture) 1960: SONG WITHOUT END (w. Morris Stoloff)  Nominated for Music Scoring Awards (Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) 1961: FANNY (w. Morris Stoloff)  Nominated for Music Scoring Awards (Scoring of Music Adaptation or Treatment) 1966: THE SINGING NUN 3 nominations, 1 Award