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An actor who got his start in Clinton County's Millbrook Playhouse before appearances on Columbo and Cagney & Lacey and in the film Titanic has died.
Actor Leon Louis Palter was born in Brooklyn New York Nov. 3, 1928, and passed away in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer on May 21, reported WATE News.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Palter graduated from Tufts University, then received his master's degree from Alfred University and his Ph.D. in theater from Northwestern University. Between the start of his acting career and education Palter enlisted to serve in the United States military.
Palter's start began when he acted in and directed plays off-broadway, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He joined the Millbrook Playhouse located in Mill Hall in the mid-1960s.
Palter made his television debut in 1967 on NBC's Run for your Life according to Hollywood Reporter. Palter's most notable role is Isidor Straus in James Cameron's 1997 Titanic.
Palter can be seen embracing Elsa Raven, who plays his wife Ida, on a bed in the couple's stateroom during a montage as the ship is sinking and a string quartet plays the hymn "Nearer my God to Thee" in the movie Titanic. The role is a tribute to Isidor Straus, the real life co-owner of Macy's, who was among one of the richest patrons to die aboard the RMS Titanic. Straus was offered a seat on one of the lifeboats, but refused since there were many women and children who had yet to be seated. The couple was last seen holding hands on deck before being swept to sea by a wave, according to the National Archives.
Palter's credits also included the 1971 film The Steagle and episodes of The Doris Day Show, Columbo, The Brady Bunch, Baretta, The Waltons, Cagney & Lacey and The A-Team, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Palter became a faculty member at CalArts in 1971 according to the Hollywood Reporter. He worked as an acting teacher and director at the school until his retirement in 2013.
"It is with great sadness that we share news that #calartstheater faculty Lew Palter has passed away. Lew retired from CalArts in 2013, having served our community since 1971 as an acting teacher, director and Mentor." CalArts wrote to Twitter.
Ed Harris, Don Cheadle and Cecily Strong are among the thousands of students that Palter taught during his time at CalArts according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Palter is survived by his daughter Catherine and grandchildren Sam, Tessa and Miranda. Palter's wife of 64 years, Nancy Vawter, passed away in Nov. 2020 according to Hollywood Reporter.