LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Titanic' star Lew Palter, 94, died a month ago on May 21, 2023, the CalArts School of Theater announced on its Twitter page. The actor played Isidor Straus in the iconic James Cameron film, a character based on a real person who died on the ship with his wife.
How did Lew Palter die?
Palter died of lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California. The news was shared by Cal Arts, where he was part of the faculty and beloved by many, including film industry bigwigs who were taught by the veteran actor.
The announcement of Palter's death read, "It is with great sadness that we share the news that longtime #calartstheater faculty Lew Palter has passed away. Lew retired from @CalArts in 2013, having served our community since 1971 as an acting teacher, director, and mentor."
The tweet was a memoriam penned by the current Dean of the CalArts School of Theater Travis Preston. He continued in the letter, "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. He had the utmost respect of his students, and encouraged all to find truth in their work and lives."
The memoriam concluded with, "His legacy is carried forth in the many careers, lives, and stories he touched, and our collective CalArts thoughts are with his family, friends, and theater community who loved him so.
Lew Palter's contribution to acting
Palter was originally a theater actor, hence his career as an educator in the same area. He was part of multiple productions both on and off Broadway. Palter's Broadway work included 'The Madwoman of Chaillot' and 'An Enemy of the People' while Off-Broadway shows were 'Let Man Live' and 'The Trial of Lucullus'.
His work on screen consisted of many guest appearances in major franchises such as 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Charlie's Angels' as a loved actor in the industry. However, he is best known for 'Titanic' as his iconic scene in the final moments when the ship is afloat touched viewers so emotionally.
Palter played one of the wealthy characters on the ship, the department store owner Isidor Straus who boarded the ship with his wife. The couple had chosen to die together as they embraced each other on the bed while their room is flooded with the icy water of the Atlantic.
It was recently revealed on the 'Today' show that Straus and his wife were the relatives of Wendy Rush, the wife of OceanGate's CEO who was behind the submersible that went on an excursion to explore the sunken ship.
