Ed Lauter

Ed Lauter was an American actor and comedian who passed away at the age of 74 due to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. He was a prolific character actor having a long career over four decades appearing in over 200 films and television series. Most would recognize him but maybe not know his name, as he liked to joke. Born in 1938 in Long Beach, New York, he attended Long Island University. Lauter got his first acting role in 1970 on Broadway in the play “The Great White Hope” and a year later in the television series “Mannix” then in 1972 he got his first movie with “Dirty Little Billy.” In 1989 Lauter appeared in “Booker” and a year later “My Blue Heaven.” In 2005 he appeared as The Mean Machine in “The Longest Yard” and in 2006 he appeared in “Seraphim Falls.” His biggest role came in his last film in 2011 with the Best Picture of the Year winner at the Academy Awards, “The Artist.” His wife and widow made this statement after his death, “What good fortune to be married to a man who so easily combi