Lew Palter, a veteran character actor and teacher at CalArts School of Theater, passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 94 after a battle with lung cancer. His daughter, Catherine Palter, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
One of Palter's most notable roles was playing Isidor Straus in the 1997 film Titanic.
Isidor was a Bavarian-born American businessman and co-owner of Macy's department store who tragically lost his life during the ship's sinking. Palter's poignant portrayal in the scene where Isidor and his wife Ida held each other on their bed as water rushed in around them has been a standout for viewers over the years. The Strauses were one of the wealthiest couples to perish on the ship, with Isidor sacrificing his place in a lifeboat for the sake of women and children. Ida refused to leave without him.
In addition to his role in Titanic, Palter appeared in several other film and television shows, including First Monday in October, The Flying Nun, Hill Street Blues, LA Law, and Delvecchio.
The actor joined the faculty at CalArts School of Theater in 1971 and remained there until his retirement in 2013, where he served as an acting teacher and director.
His daughter Catherine stated that he changed people's lives as a teacher, and CalArts School of Theater Dean Travis Preston released a statement honoring Palter's contributions to the craft of acting.
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