Variety (1996) - Obituaries: Martin Balsam

Details

• newspaper article: Obituaries: Martin Balsam
• journal: Variety (19/Feb/1996)
• issue: volume 362, issue 3, page 60
• journal ISSN: 0042-2738
• publisher: Penske Business Media
• keywords: Academy Awards, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Balsam, New York City, New York, Psycho (1960)

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Article

MARTIN BALSAM

Popular character actor Martin Balsam, who won an Oscar in 1965 for supporting actor in "A Thousand Clowns" and appeared in dozens of films in a career that spanned nearly 50 years, was found dead Feb. 13 in a Rome hotel. He was 76.

Balsam, who had been staying at the Ripetta Residence, an upscale hotel near the center of the city, was found lying on the floor near his bed. According to a police spokeswoman, the cause of death was not known.

A veteran of stage, film and television, Balsam will be remembered as the detective in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960) who crossed paths with Norman Bates once too often.

Balsam's screen debut in the 1954 Marlon Brando classic "On the Waterfront" was followed by performances in numerous features including "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "Seven Days in May" and "The Carpetbaggers."

Balsam was equally at home onstage where he garnered a Tony award for his role in "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running."

Born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Nov. 4, 1919, Balsam studied and acted in numerous productions at the New School in New York City. After serving in the Army Air Corps during WW II, Balsam returned to New York and in 1947 was chosen by Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg for the Actors' Studio.

He later appeared onstage in "The Rose Tattoo," "Camino Real" and "Wedding Breakfast."

During the early days of live television, Balsam appeared in all of the important series on the air including "Playhouse 90," "Studio One," "Philco Playhouse," "Dr. Kildare," "Naked City" and "The Defenders."

Balsam also had a recurring role as Archie Bunker's Jewish business partner in "Archie Bunker's Place" (1979-1981).

Other film credits include "12 Angry Men," "Marjorie Morningstar," "Harlow," "Tora! Tora! Tora!" "Little Big Man," "Murder on the Orient Express," "All the President's Men," "Cuba," "St. Elmo's Fire," "Death Wish 3" and "Cape Fear."

He is survived by a daughter, actress Talia Balsam.