Loading AI tools
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.
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]
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, 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]
Palter was married to actress and costumer Nancy (née Vawter) from 1956 until her death in 2020.[1] They had two daughters together.[4]
Palter died from lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles, on May 21, 2023, at the age of 94.[1][2][10]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.