It is with deep regret to report the passing of actor Ed Lauter who died yesterday at the age of 74. 

Mr. Lauter was that rare breed of actor that brought life to every part he played. Born in Long Beach, Long Island in New York on October 30, 1938, Mr. Lauter started as a stand up comic before entering films while studying drama at the Herbert Berghoff School of Drama.

Standing at 6’2”, he had the uncanny ability to play good guys, bad guys or comedic roles always lighting up the screen with his presence.

With an impressive resume of film and television credits beginning with the feature film, The Magnificent Seven Ride! in 1972, he starred along with his friend Jeff Bridges in four films – the Romeo and Juliet-esque love story, Lolly-Madonna XXX, the race car drama based on Junior Johnson’s life, Hard Driver aka The Last American Hero, the western Bad Company and the 1976 version of King Kong. He also worked with Burt Reynolds in the original Longest Yard as the memorable guard quarterback Captain Knauer; in The Midnight Man and Executive Action alongside Burt Lancaster; Lee Marvin in Death Hunt; Charles Bronson in White Buffalo; Robert Culp and Bill Cosby in Hickey and Boggs, was directed by Alfred Hitchcock in Family Plot and was most recently in the Academy Award winning film, The Artist.

Television credits include the supernatural television movie Satan’s Triangle, Star Trek; The Next Generation, Mannix, Kojack, NYPD Blue, The A-Team, The X-Files, Miami Vice and Murder She Wrote to name a few examples of his incredible, wide spectrum of work.

A funny, nice man in person off screen, every actor enjoyed his company and his performance. He was a genuine human being who loved acting.

For Mr. Lauter, there were no small parts, only great roles.

He will be missed.

Share your comments below or on Twitter @STARBURST_MAG

Find your local Starburst Magazine stockist HERE, or buy direct from us HERE. Our issues are also available as iPad editions, and can be downloaded via Apple HERE.

CLICK CHUCKY FOR OUR LATEST ISSUE!