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the actor Lou Balter He died. Per THR, Balter died May 21 of lung cancer at his Los Angeles home with his daughter, Katherine Balter, who is now sharing the sad news with the press. He was 94 years old.
Balter also worked as an acting teacher and darling director at CalArts from 1971 to 2013. During that time he mentored many big stars, such as Ed Harris and Don Cheadle. Palter also tutored Cecily Strong, and personally encouraged her to try out for The Groundlings, which led to her rise to fame on the Saturday Night Live. Balter’s daughter Katherine says her father, as a teacher, “seems to have really changed people’s lives”.
Law loved the acting profession and taught his students to do the same. He fostered deep curiosity, care, intellect, and humor in every scene, stage, and class,” adds Travis Preston, CalArts School of Theatre. “He was highly respected by his students and encouraged all to seek truth in their work and their lives.”
Born Leon Louis Balter on November 3, 1928, Balter began his career in show business on stage before making his screen debut in the television series survive in 1967. From there, he appeared in many other popular TV shows, such as The A-Team, Charlie’s Angels, Baretta, Columbo, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, The Six Million Dollar ManAnd KojakAnd The Doris Day ShowAnd Brady Bunch. Perhaps his most famous television role is as Detective Clark in the TV series Delvecchio Next to Judd Hirsch.
In film, Palter will appear in films such as Stegel And First Monday in October. His most famous role is in the smash hit Titanic, one of the highest-grossing films of all time which returned to theaters for its 25th anniversary earlier this year. In the film, Palter and Elsa Raven (who died in 2020) were played by Isidor and Ida Straus, respectively. The two were actual victims of the Titanic that went down with the ship, and according to the UK government’s National Archives, Isidore refused to board a lifeboat, despite his wealth, as there were still women and children on board. Ida stayed with her husband, and gave her fur coat to their maid, who boarded one of the lifeboats and survived.
Lou Balter’s big scene was cut from the movie Titanic
There was a scene featuring Isidore, with Balter in the role, refusing to board the lifeboat, just as he would in real life. However, this scene was cut from the film’s theatrical release. Palter’s Isidor and Raven’s Ida are still featured in the film in a haunting but memorable shot of the water filling their quarters as the two cuddle in bed, awaiting certain doom.
Oddly enough, the scene has a connection to the recent OceanGate submarine disaster. The Titanic tourist submarine, which exploded on its way to the sinking ship, was commanded by OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. His widow, Wendy Rush, is the granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Strauss.
Balter was previously married for 64 years to actress Nancy Futter. She died in 2020. Among his survivors are his daughter Katherine and grandchildren Sam, Tessa and Miranda. Our thoughts go to them at this time. Rest in peace, Lou Balter.
