Ed Lauter

Edward Matthew Lauter II was born on October 30, 1938 in Long Beach, New York.

Attended and graduated from Long Beach High School in Lido Beach, New York (1956).

Made his Broadway debut in the play "The Great White Hope" (1970).

In a film career that extended for over four decades, Lauter starred in a plethora of film and television productions since making his big screen debut in the western Dirty Little Billy (1972). He portrayed an eclectic array of characters over the years, including (but not limited to), authority/military figures, edgy villains, and good-hearted heavies.

Many will remember him for his appearance as the stern Captain Wilhelm Knauer in The Longest Yard (1974) (Lauter also made a cameo in the 2005 remake). Lauter also worked with Alfred Hitchcock, Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Jim Carrey and Liam Neeson. With a face that seemed to appear without warning everywhere, Lauter remained in demand for roles on both films and television.

Alfred Hitchcock had planned on using him for one of the leads in his latest film, "The Short Night" (1980), before this was canceled due to the director's declining health. Hitchcock had earlier directed him in his previous film, Family Plot (1976).

Had appeared with Charles Bronson in four films: Death Wish 3 (1985), Death Hunt (1981), The White Buffalo (1977) and Breakheart Pass (1975).

He appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Seabiscuit (2003) and The Artist (2011), with the latter being a winner in the category.

Edward Lauter passed away on October 16, 2013, only two weeks away from what would have been his 75th birthday on October 30.