Following news of the ill-fated Titan submersible which imploded at the site of the famous wreckage of the Titanic ship in the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 5 passengers aboard, American actor, Lew Palter, popularly known as Macy’s co-owner Isidor Straus in the 1997 classic movie “Titanic” has died from lung cancer.
Palter death at the age of 94, was announced on Monday, by his daughter Catherine, in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter.
In a memorable scene from the Best Picture Oscar-winning “Titanic,” Straus and his wife faced death in bed together rather than try to escape from the ill-fated ship while water runs through their room.
Palter, whose wife, Nancy Vawter died in 2020, is survived by his daughter Catherine and grandchildren Sam, Tessa and Miranda.
He was a familiar face on TV, appearing on “The Flying Nun,” “Columbo,” “The Brady Bunch,” Hill Street Blues” and “LA Law,” among other shows.
Palter was also a faculty member at CalArts School of Theater.
One of his students, Cecily Strong, paid tribute to Palter on Instagram.
“Lew told me he thought I should take a class at the Groundlings,” she said. “I said no way I’m a serious actor. Turns out Lew was right. I took the class at the Groundlings. It brought me back to Chicago to study improv there. Then I ended up auditioning for Lorne Michaels. Thanks Lew.”
“For so many years I got to brag that my teacher was the old guy in Titanic that chose to stay in bed,” Strong posted. “Lew knew how to live life well. How to teach students to be not only better actors but better people.”
According to CalArts School of Theater Dean, Travis Preston, “Lew loved the craft of acting, and taught his students to do the same. He fostered deep curiosity, care, intellect, and humor in every scene, play, and class.”
