‘Iconic ‘Titanic’ Actor and Industry Influencer Passes Away at 94, Family Confirms’

Lew Palter, Hollywood Actor and Mentor, Passes Away at 94

Lew Palter, a beloved Hollywood actor known for his role in “Titanic” and his mentorship of other performers, has sadly passed away. His daughter, Catherine Palter, confirmed that he died of lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles on May 21. He was 94 years old.

Palter’s most memorable performance was as millionaire businessman Isidor Straus in the iconic 1997 drama “Titanic.” Fans will forever remember the haunting scene where his character embraces his wife Ida on their bed as the ship sinks.

“Wendy Rush, the wife of Stockton Rush, the OceanGate CEO who died last week while piloting the submersible that imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreckage, is a great-great-granddaughter of the Strauses,” according to the Reporter.

In addition to his film work, Palter appeared in numerous TV series throughout the decades, including “Columbo,” “Kojak,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Brady Bunch,” and “Hill Street Blues,” as listed on IMDb.

Palter was not only a talented actor but also a respected faculty member at the CalArts School of Theater. He taught aspiring performers like Cecily Strong, who now stars on “Saturday Night Live.” Strong paid tribute to Palter on Instagram, describing him as a “great teacher.”

“Lew knew how to live life well. How to teach students to be not only better actors but better people.”

Palter joined the CalArts faculty in 1971 and continued teaching until his retirement in 2013. He influenced many other well-known actors, including Ed Harris and Don Cheadle, and conducted workshops both in the U.S. and overseas.

Travis Preston, dean of the CalArts School of Theater, praised Palter’s passion for acting and his ability to inspire his students. According to Preston, Palter fostered curiosity, care, intellect, and humor in every scene, play, and class.

Palter’s daughter Catherine expressed how deeply her father impacted the lives of his students, saying, “As a teacher, he seemed to have truly changed people’s lives.”

Born in New York, Palter attended Tufts University before earning a master’s degree from Alfred University and a Ph.D. in theater from Northwestern University. He began his career in off-Broadway productions and made his mark on TV in the 1960s with appearances in shows like “It Takes a Thief,” “The Virginian,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Mission: Impossible.” He also served in the Army.

Palter was married to actress Nancy Vawter for 64 years until her passing in 2020. He is survived by his daughter and grandchildren Sam, Tessa, and Miranda.

Source: The Western Journal

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