RIP: Professor and veteran Lou Palter died of advanced lung cancer at his Los Angeles residence on May 21 at the age of 94.
Titanic star Lou Palter dead at the age of 94 of most lung cancer at his Los Angeles residence on May 21.
The New York-born spy is perhaps best remembered for his role as real-life retail tycoon Isidore Strauss, hugging his spouse on a mattress, in James Cameron’s 1997 drama Titanic, which grossed $2.2 billion and opens July 1. on Netflix.
Viewers may also remember Lew as Associate Justice Benjamin Halperin flipping Walter Metto and Jill Clayburgh in Ronald Niamey’s 1981 Supreme Court drama The First Monday in October, which grossed $12.4 million worldwide.
Palter was also a Distinguished Professor at the CalArts School of Theatre, and his college students included four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris, Oscar nominee Don Cheadle, and two-time Emmy nominee Cecilia Strong.
On May 22, Shmygaduna! producer-star Cecilia Strong, who graduated from CalArts in 2006, shared a moving story about how important Palter was in pushing her away from heavy acting and into additional comedic roles.
‘What a great teacher. Lewis Palter. Scratching his big giant ears and hitting the “K” so wet, and sometimes reminding himself that, as the lovely Bertold Brecht said, “the proof is in the pudding,” the 39-year-old Illinois native wrote. Instagram.
Ghostly scene: The New York-born spy is perhaps best remembered for his work as retail tycoon Isidore Strauss, who cradled his spouse in a mattress as the ship sank during the 1997 drama Titanic.
Real life tragedy: Isidore Strauss and his wife Ida perished on the Titanic. Isidore owned Macy’s with his brother Nathan
“Lew directed me in my second favorite show at CalArts, Anton in Jane Martin’s Showbiz, with all the other girls who weren’t in the big shows our sophomore year. We started out feeling lost not being picked for bigger shows, but ended up feeling like we were on the best show of the season because people loved it (and the proof is in the pudding). I played a Polish director named Wikiewicz, and I had to shout at the audience, “I’m teasing you with my art.”
“Lew suggested to me that he thought I should take a category with the Groundlings. I never said I was a hard actor. Turns out, Lou was right. I took a class with the Groundlings. That brought me back to Chicago to check out improv. Then I auditioned for Lorne Michael. Thank you Lew. And thank you for letting me brag for a few years that my coach was the previous Titanic man who chose to stay in the mattress. Lew knew how to live right. How to show college students not just superior actors, but superior people. He scored a handsome 94 here. The proof is in the pudding.
Cecilia, who, among other things, usually sang and played Judge Jeanine Pirro, was a hilarious performer on NBC’s long-running sketch comedy collection for 11 seasons spanning 2012 until her remaining run aired on December 17.
Westworld star Ed Harris dated Lou (born Leon) for two years when he attended CalArts, from which he graduated in 1975.
Palter, who retired from education in 2013, additionally taught The Wonder Years narrator Don Cheadle at CalArts, from which he graduated in 1986.
The US Army veteran has performed in a wide variety of television roles with Delvecchio, The Flying Nun, Hill Street Blues, LA Law, The Doris Day Show, Columbo, The Brady Bunch, Baretta, The Waltons, Cagney & Lacey and The The. A team.
Lew additionally directed several off-Broadway shows, as well as Tom Topor’s drama Nuts for the Los Angeles Stage Company, which went on a massive run with Barbra Streisand in 1987 as the murder named woman.
Backlash! Viewers may also keep in mind that Lew (L, seated) as Associate Justice Benjamin Halperin flips Walter Metto and Jill Clayburgh in Ronald Neem’s 1981 Supreme Court drama The First Monday in October, which grossed $12.4 million worldwide.
‘What a great teacher’: on May 22, Shmigaduna! producer-star Cecilia Strong, who graduated from CalArts in 2006, shared a moving story about how important it was for Palter to push her away from heavy appearances and supporting comedy roles (pictured April 19).
The 39-year-old Illinois native wrote on Instagram: “Lew advised me that he thought I should do a category with the Groundlings. I never said I was a hard actor. Turns out, Lou was right. I was in a class with the Groundlings. It reintroduced me to Chicago to check out improv. Then I listened to Lorne Michaels. Thanks Lew’
Wanted: Lou landed several roles in television shows, with Delvecchio, The Flying Nun, Hill Street Blues, LA Law, The Doris Day Show, Columbo, The Brady Bunch, Baretta, The Waltons, Cagney & Lacey and The A-Team (pictured in 2018 in the year)
‘You will be missed by so many’: Palter is survived by his daughter Catherine Read Palter (L) from his 64-year marriage to Los Angeles law actress Nancy Wawter, who passed away in 2020.
Legacy: The US Army veteran is survived by his three grandchildren Sam, Tessa and Miranda Morgan (L)
Palter was extremely well educated, receiving an undergraduate degree from Tufts University, a master’s degree from Alfred University, and a Ph.D. in Theater from Northwestern University.
Steagle’s star is survived by his daughter, Catherine Read Palter from his 64-year marriage to LA Law actress Nancy Wawter, which ended in 2020.
Lou is survived by his three grandchildren, Sam, Tessa and Miranda Morgan.
