Character actor Ed Lauter dies

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Detroit Free Press-AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Veteran character actor Ed Lauter, whose long, angular face and stern bearing made him an instantly recognizable figure in scores of movies and TV shows during a career that stretched across five decades, died Wednesday. He was 74.

Lauter died of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer most commonly caused by asbestos exposure, said his publicist, Edward Lozzi.

Whether he was an irascible authority figure, a brutal thug or a conniving con man, Lauter's presence made him all but impossible to miss in any film he was in. That was so even on those occasions when he was playing a character more bumbling than menacing, although menacing was clearly his forte.

He was the brutal prison guard who was Burt Reynolds' nemesis in the 1974 comedy-drama The Longest Yard and the sleazy gas station attendant in Alfred Hitchcock's last film,The Family Plot.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/2997877?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

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My favorite of him was in "Magic": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077889/?ref_=tttg_tg_tt

Abracadabra, I sit on his knee. Presto, change-o, and now he's me! Hocus Pocus, we take her to bed. Magic is fun...we're dead.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077889/?ref_=tttg_tg_tt

[onehandle]

1. My favorite film where his 'face' was seen: 'My Blue Heaven'

RIP

[ailsagirl]

2. Thanks for posting.

I've always liked him.

Rest in Peace, Ed.

[Kingofalldems]

3. 'Crew! Crew!'

RIP

[munster69]

4. He made a few movies with Charles Bronson

Good actor, R.I.P.

[NBachers]

6. Yup, soon as I saw his picture, I thought of his role in "Breakheart Pass"

One of Bronson's best- I watch this film over and over. Maybe I'll watch it again tonight.

I think this is one of the best movie intros ever:

[Aristus]

5. Oh no! He was one of the greats!

I saw a film he was in where he played a London taxicab driver. His Cockney accent was flawless...

I also liked his performance as Rick Moranis' genial FBI boss in "My Blue Heaven."

RIP.

[SCVDem]

7. He was one of my favorite assholes!

Great acting sir!

Rest in peace.

[Chakab]

8. I remember him from dozens of movies and TV shows that I loved when I was a kid.

RIP

[msanthrope]

9. He was in everything. nt

[Dustlawyer]

10. Ed Lauter died of mesothelioma, a vicious cancer only caused by asbestos and high doses of radiation

think Fukushima levels. For those that are curious, my screen name "Dustlawyer" comes from working the "Dust docket," asbestos and silica (sandblasting). The companies like Johns Manville, Owens Corning, Owens Illinois, GE, Big 3 auto makers, and everyone's favorite, Georgia Pacific (the Koch Suckers, I mean brothers) and many, many more! They have used their clout to further vilify the unions who's members suffered and died by the millions and us plaintiff attorneys who fight these companies. They knew in 1932 through a study they all chipped in on along with Metropolitan Life insurance company (Snoopy & the Pink Panther working together) conspired to cover it all up to avoid worker's compensation claims and lawsuits.
You can now add Ed Lauter to the list of victims along with Warren Zevon. This is the ugly side of Capitolism!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. Aww. I always liked him. RIP, Ed.

[Paladin]

12. One of our great character actors. RIP.