Lew Palter
American actor (1928–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leon Louis Palter (November 3, 1928 – May 21, 2023) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as Isidor Straus in the 1997 film Titanic. He was also a longtime instructor at the CalArts School of Theater.
November 3, 1928
Lew Palter | |
|---|---|
Palter in Titanic, 1997 | |
| Born | Leon Louis Palter November 3, 1928 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 2023 (aged 94) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse |
Nancy Vawter
(m. 1956; died 2020) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Leon Louis Palter was born in New York City's Brooklyn borough on November 3, 1928.[1][2][3] After studying at Tufts University and Alfred University,[1] he earned a PhD in theater at Northwestern University.[4]
Career
Palter appeared in New York productions such as The Madwoman of Chaillot and An Enemy of the People.[4] He also directed Off-Broadway plays including Let Man Live, Overruled and The Trial of Lucullus.[4] In 1965, he directed and produced with Robert L. Hobbs at the Millbrook Playhouse.[4] He acted and directed on summer stock theaters.[4] He began to appear on screen in 1967 with an appearance in the television series Run for Your Life. Palter guest-starred in television programs including The A-Team, Day by Day, Charlie's Angels, Baretta, The Virginian, Columbo, The High Chaparral, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Kojak, The Brady Bunch and The Flying Nun.[1][5] He also played Det. Clark in seven episodes of the American drama television series Delvecchio,[6] and guest-starred on The Doris Day Show.[7][8] Apart from playing Isidor Straus in Titanic,[9][10] Palter appeared in other films, such as The Steagle[1] and First Monday in October.[11]
Having started teaching acting at the CalArts School of Theater in 1971, Palter remained a faculty member there until his retirement in 2013.[1][2] His many students included Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, and Cecily Strong.[1][10][12]
