Martin Balsam (November 4, 1919 - February 13, 1996)

He was one of the greatest "straight laced" actors I've ever seen... His career began in 1947 and he was soon featured in such television programs as "Suspense", "Inner Sanctum", "The United States Steel Hour", "The Philco Television Playhouse", "Goodyear Television Playhouse", "Studio One", "Rawhide", "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "The Untouchables", "Route 66", "The Twilight Zone", "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre", "Wagon Train", "The Defenders", "The Fugitive", "Kojak", "Maude", "Quincy M.E.", "Murder, She Wrote", "Hotel" and the 1980's revival of "The Twilight Zone." In 1955 he had regular roles on the programs "Valiant Lady" and "The Greatest Gift." From 1962 until 1966 he held the recurring role of Dr. Milton Orliff on "Dr. Kildare." The role I will always remember him for was the one he held on "Archie Bunker's Place" from 1979 until 1981. He played Archie's socially liberal Jewish business partner and he did a great job. The on screen chemistry between he and Carroll O'Connor was brilliant... On the big screen he appeared in such films as On the Waterfront, 12 Angry Men, Time Limit, Pyscho, Seven Days in May, All the President's Men, Catch-22, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Murder on the Orient Express and St. Elmo's Fire... In 1962 he appeared in the film Cape Fear along side Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. Twenty-nine years later all three would reunite to appear in its remake... He received a Tony award in 1967 for his work on Broadway... His final film was Legend of the Spirit Dog which wasn't released until more than a year after the actor's passing...he left us much to early...he truly was one of the greats...! In Memoriam Remembers: Martin Balsam

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