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American actor and filmmaker (1928–2024) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Everett DeCoste (December 16, 1928 – April 23, 2024), known professionally as Terry Carter, was an American actor and filmmaker, known for his roles as Sgt. Joe Broadhurst on the television series McCloud[1] and as Colonel Tigh on the original Battlestar Galactica.
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Terry Carter | |
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Born | John Everett DeCoste December 16, 1928 New York City, U.S. |
Died | April 23, 2024 95) New York City, U.S. | (aged
Occupation(s) | Actor, filmmaker |
Years active | 1957–2012 |
Spouse(s) | Anna DeCoste (1964–1990) Beate Glatved DeCoste (1991–2006) Selome Zenebe DeCoste (2009–2024) |
Website | www |
Carter was born in Brooklyn, New York City. His mother, Mercedes, was a native of the Dominican Republic,[1] and his father, William DeCoste, was of Argentinian and African-American descent who operated a radio repair business.[2]
Carter graduated from Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan in 1946. Thereafter, he attended postsecondary courses at Hunter College, the University of California, Los Angeles, Boston University and Northeastern University, ultimately returning to the latter institution decades after dropping out to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in communications in 1983.[3][4] Following his initial Northeastern stint, Carter also completed two years of coursework at St. John's University's School of Law (which either waived the requirement of a Bachelor's degree for Carter or had not yet implemented that prerequisite for admission prior to the widespread implementation of the graduate-level Juris Doctor in lieu of the nominally undergraduate Bachelor of Laws) before leaving to become an actor.[5]
Carter gained theatre experience in several productions on the Broadway and off-Broadway stage. His Broadway credits include playing the male lead opposite Eartha Kitt in the play Mrs. Patterson[1] and performing the title role in the musical extravaganza Kwamina.[1]
From 1965 to 1968, Carter worked as a weekend newscaster for WBZ-TV in Boston,[6] where he became an anchor-reporter. Some sources said he was the world's first black TV newsman.[7] During his three-year stint, he also served as New England television's first black opening-night movie and theater critic. Although WBZ said he resigned from the station, Carter told the black press that he had been fired, because Westinghouse (which owned WBZ) objected to his personal involvement in numerous community projects.[8] His departure left Boston without any black TV news reporters.
Carter also acted in numerous television series, specials, and theatrical films. Carter was a regular cast member of The Phil Silvers Show (popularly known as Sergeant Bilko), appearing as Pvt. Sugie Sugarman in 91 episodes between 1955 and '59.[1] Carter played boxer Rosie Palmer in a 1964 episode of the ABC drama Breaking Point. In 1965 he was the only black actor to have a role in the World War II drama Combat! in the season three episode "The Long Wait". He played the part of Police Officer Tuttle in the 1974 children's film Benji. He is best known internationally for his co-starring role as Colonel Tigh in the popular science-fiction TV series Battlestar Galactica. He was originally cast as Lieutenant Boomer, but was cut following a roller skating accident that fractured his ankle. After replacing Carter with Herb Jefferson, Jr., producer Glen A. Larson instead offered Terry Carter the role of Colonel Tigh, second in command of the ragtag fleet of starships, giving the series the distinction for the time of having more than one regular African-American character in the principal cast. Carter also starred as Dennis Weaver's partner, Sergeant Joe Broadhurst in the detective series McCloud for seven years. He played opposite Pam Grier in the film Foxy Brown. He played the role of CIA chief "Texas Slim" in Hamilton, a multinational action-adventure Swedish film (1999). More recently, Carter had a recurring role in Hotel Caesar, Norway's most popular soap opera, as Solomon Tefari, an Ethiopian businessman and father of one of the main characters.
In 1975, Carter started a small Los Angeles corporation, Meta/4 Productions, Inc.[1] for which he produced and directed industrial and educational presentations on film and videotape for the federal government.[1] Carter was president of Council for Positive Images, Inc., a non-profit organization he formed in 1979, dedicated to enhancing intercultural and interethnic understanding through audiovisual communication.[citation needed] Under the council's auspices, Carter produced and directed award-winning dramatic and documentary programs for presentation on PBS and distribution worldwide.[citation needed]
Carter died in New York City on April 23, 2024, at the age of 95.[9]
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