Michael Jeter
(1952 - 2003)Although he was a small, slightly nerdish looking fellow, Michael Jeter was a born scene-stealer. On top of that he was an excellent actor who created wonderfully complex and heartwarming characters. He outshone the stars in most of the films and TV series he appeared in proving him a truly great character actor. He was diminutive at 5 feet, four inches, with a balding head of curly red hair, sparkling eyes framed by bushy brows and an ever so slightly, raspy tenor voice. He was often cast as a small, timid looking man in a larger-than-life situation; be it an assistant football coach, a convict or a mental patient and he was more than up to the task. He was nominated for many awards and won a Tony in 1990 for “Grand Hotel” and an Emmy in 1992 for “Evening Shade.” He was born on August 26, 1952 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He grew up in that area and attended Memphis State University where he majored in Medicine but soon developed a love for acting at the college. After graduation he moved to New York, working for a time with a law firm while attending auditions and waiting for an acting job. His big break came when he was hired by Milos Forman for his film adaptation of the musical “Hair”, which was filmed in New York. He also worked on and off Broadway in plays including: “Alice”, “Cloud Nine”, “Waiting for Godot” and “The Boys Next Door.” He was on his way and it wasn’t long before he was called an ‘actor’s actor’, one who could make an audience laugh or draw tears. After two bouts with alcohol and drug abuse in the early 1980s he gave up acting for a time thinking it was destroying him. He ‘cleaned up his act’ and worked for a time as a legal secretary until, luckily for us, he was coaxed back into acting by a casting director. Although he was best known for his stage work and TV appearances, when he made a film, he made a “splash” in it and you knew Michael Jeter was in that film! His film credits included: “Hair” (1979) as Sheldon; “Ragtime” (1981) James Cagney’s final film, as Special Reporter; “Soup for One” (1982) as Mr. Kelp; Woody Allen’s “Zelig” (1983) as Freshman #2; “The Money Pit” (1986) with Tom Hanks, as Arnie; “Dead Bang” (1989) as Dr. Krantz; “Tango & Cash” (1989) with Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell, as Skinner; the Coen Brother’s “Miller’s Crossing” (1990) as Adolph; “Just Like in the Movies” (1990) as Vernon; “The Fisher King” (1991) with Robin Williams, as Homeless Cabaret Singer; “Bank Robber” (1993) as Night Clerk 1; “Sister Act 2” with Whoopi Goldberg, as Father Ignatius; “Drop Zone” (1994) as Earl Leedy; “Waterworld” (1995) with Kevin Costner, as Old Gregor; “Air Bud” (1997) as Norman F. ‘Norm’ Snively/Clown the Hound; “Mouse Hunt” (1997) with Nathan Lane, as Quincy Thorpe, in a nice comic turn; “Race for Atlantis” (1998) as Pindar (Ride introduction reel); the odd “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998) with Johnny Depp, as L. Ron Burnquist; “The Naked Man” (1998) as Sticks Varona; “Thursday” (1998) as Dr. Jarvis; “Zack and Reba” (1998) as Ores; “Patch Adams” (1998) again with Robin Williams, as Rudy; “True Crime” (1999) as Dale Porterhouse; “Jakob the Liar” (1999) with Robin Williams, as Avron; “The Green Mile” (1999) with Tom Hanks, as Eduard ‘Del’ Delacroix, his best role which should have garnered an Oscar nomination; “The Gift” (2000) as Gerald Weems; “Kid Quick” (2000) as Dibble; “Jurassic Park III” (2001) as Mr. Udesky, a short, but unforgettable role; “Welcome to Collinwood” (2002) as Toto; “Open Range” (2003) and “The Polar Express” (2004) his final film. He appeared in many TV movies including: “My Old Man” (1979); “The Mating Season” (1980); “Alice at the Palace” (1982); “Hothouse” (1988); “Gypsy” (1993); “Mrs. Santa Claus” (1996) and “The Ransom of Red Chief” (1998). He was a regular on the TV series: “From Here to Eternity” (1980) as Pvt. Ridgely; “Evening Shade” (1990-94) as Herman Stiles; “Picket Fences” (1992-96) as Peter LeBeck (1992); Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City” (1993) a mini-series, as Carson Callas; “When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn” (1993) a mini-series, as Bob Black and “Sesame Street” (1969-present) as Mr. Noodle. He guest starred on such TV series as: “Lou Grant”; “Night Court”; “Designing Women”; “Chicago Hope”; “Suddenly Susan”; “Murphy Brown” and “Touched by an Angel.” His favorite role was as Mr. Noodle on “Sesame Street”, he felt he could ‘get lost in that role’ and forget the cares and problems of daily life. In 1997 he learned he was HIV positive. He was very active in raising funds for AIDs research. He died, much too early, on March 30, 2003 in Los Angeles, California of complications from HIV. Sadly the entertainment world will miss his great talents.
From Great Character Actors, Page 9.
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