Ed Lauter is a face you’ve seen many times, and said ‘Who is that guy?’ Edward Matthew Lauter II has starred in over 70 film and television productions, and his face has carved for himself an amazing an enduring presence in American Culture.
Ed Lozzi, the PR honcho for many a Hollywood star, said “Ed Lauter, Actor, Father, Husband and Friend has passed away this afternoon after a valiant battle with cancer (Mesotheiloma) that was discovered in May of this year. Ed worked right up to his death and even attended the Celebrity Cup at the Polo Matches at Will Rogers Polo Grounds & also attended Hispanics for the Opera Gala that benefitted needy children. Little did anyone know how great of pain he was experiencing.”
As quoted by Mia his wife,
“What good fortune to be married to a man who so easily combined love, kindness, caring and a sense of humor ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Our marriage, as they say in the business, was one hell of a run. I’ll miss him dearly as well as his family and countless friends. Ed Lauter really mattered.”
Surviving family members include his wife of eight years, Mia Margaret Lauter, his sisters Sally Traube (West Camp, NY) and Elizabeth Lauter (West Camp, NY), Larry Traube (West Camp, NY), Emma Lauter (Santa Barbara, CA), Ben Lauter (Atlanta, GA), Ameka Lauter (Okeechobee, FL), and Anton Lauter (Okeechobee, FL).
The last movie Ed acted in was “The Town that Dreaded Sundown.’ In a film career that has extended for over four decades, Ed Lauter has starred in a plethora of film and television productions since making his big screen debut in the 1971 western “Dirty Little Billy.” He had an incredible ride. Besides being a prolific actor, Ed was also a man who loved his Country and would die defending it. Ed made a difference in the lives of others. He was a wonderful, giving person and embodied the essence of a once in a lifetime kind of man.
“ He was a pal not just a PR client, and his former standup comedy days would always entertain us behind the scenes with his most incredible impersonations. He called me once as Clint Eastwood from the set of Warner Bros. “ Trouble with the Curve” last year. We really thought it was Eastwood”, said Edward Lozzi, Ed Lauter’s publicist and friend.
Mr. Lozzi says a special thank you to Hospice Partners and Allwest Nursing Services for their kind and gentle handling of Ed’s last days.
A scholarship is being established in Ed’s name to honor his life’s work in the entertainment industry. The Ed Lauter Scholarship Fund will be awarded annually to aspiring young actors. The Ed Lauter Foundation and Scholarship will be administrated by Ed’s longtime attorney and friend, Kenneth Lakin, of the law firm Lakin & Lakin, based in Boston. In lieu of flowers please make your contributions to the Ed Lauter Foundation.
Funeral & Memorial plans are pending.