Who was Lew Palter? ‘Titanic’ Actor, Man Who Drowned in Bed With Wife, Dead at 94

American actor, Lew Palter was best known for playing Isidor Straus, the man who drowned along with his wife in bed in the 1997 James Cameron true story-inspired film Titanic. 

According to his daughter, Catherine Palter, the actor died of lung cancer on May 21, 2023, at the age of 94. His death coincidentally made the news on June 26, 2023, the same period when news surrounding the death of tourists who were set to explore the remains of the Titanic ship was making headlines.

The actor made his on-screen debut in 1967 with an appearance in the television series Run for Your Life. He also starred in other films including First Monday in October, The A-Team, Day by Day, Charlie’s Angels, Baretta, The Virginian Columbo, The High Chaparral, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and more.

Palter was also a longtime CalArts School of Theatre faculty member.

“Lew loved the craft of acting and taught his students to do same. He fostered deep curiosity, care, intellect, and humor in every scene, play, and class. He had the utmost respect of his students and encouraged all to find truth in their work and lives,” CalArts School of Theatre Dean Travis Preston shared in a statement.