Tom Alter, Padma Shri actor and writer, dies aged 67
The actor appeared in over 300 films which included Satyajit Ray's acclaimed movie "Shatranj Ke Khiladi" and "Junoon".
By PTI | Updated:
BCCL
MUMBAI: Veteran theatre, film and television actor Tom Alter has passed away. He was 67.
According to the family sources, Alter, who was battling skin cancer, passed away last night at his residence here.
"It is with sadness we announce the death of Tom Alter, actor, writer, director, Padma Shri, and our dear husband and father. Tom passed away Friday night at home with his family and close family members in attendance. We ask for their privacy to be respected at this time," statement released on behalf of his family read.
Indian actor of American descent, Alter was the son of American missionary parents. He was born in 1950 in Mussoorie. He studied at Woodstock School in Mussoorie and later at Pune's Film and Television Institute. The actor appeared in over 300 films which included Satyajit Ray's acclaimed movie "Shatranj Ke Khiladi" and "Junoon".
His first Hindi film to be released was Ramanand Sagar's Charas in 1976. His acting credits also include "Aashiqui", "Parinda", "Sardar Patel" and "Gandhi".
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In television, Alter's work ranged from "Bharat Ek Khoj" to "Shaktimaan". He also worked in Bengali, Assamese and Telugu cinema. A cricket enthusiast, he also wrote for several sporting journals and was a published author.
His last film was "Sargoshiyan" with Alok Nath and Farida Jalal. The film released in May this year. Alter's presence in theatre has been noteworthy as well. His play, "In Ghalib In Delhi", was performed across the country. He played the lead role of legendary poet Mirza Ghalib.
Alter was also a sports journalist and was the first person to interview Sachin Tendulkar for TV when the cricketer was yet to debut for India.
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The actor was awarded Padma Shri in 2008 for his services to the field of arts and cinema.
Alter is survived by his wife Carol, son Jamie, and daughter Afshaan.
Life Of Tom Alter: Some Interesting Facts You Might Not Have Known
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Veteran theatre, television and film actor Tom Alter passed away at 67 after his long battle with skin cancer.
Here are some interesting facts about the Padma Shri awardee, who was stereotyped as the perennial British man in Bollywood.
Veteran theatre, television and film actor Tom Alter passed away at 67 after his long battle with skin cancer.
Here are some interesting facts about the Padma Shri awardee, who was stereotyped as th..
Read More
A cricket enthusiast, Alter was also a sports journalist and was the first person to interview Sachin Tendulkar for TV, before his debut as a cricketer for India.
A cricket enthusiast, Alter was also a sports journalist and was the first person to interview Sachin Tendulkar for TV, before his debut as a cricketer for India.
After watching Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore-starrer 'Aradhana', the acting bug bit Alter when he was working as a school teacher in Jagadhri, Haryana.
The 67-year-old actor was of American descent, who was born to American Christian missionary parents in Mussoorie in 1950.
After watching Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore-starrer 'Aradhana', the acting bug bit Alter when he was working as a school teacher in Jagadhri, Haryana.
The 67-year-old actor was of American desc..
Read More
Alter studied acting from 1972 to 1974 in Pune's Film and Television Institute of India and graduated with a gold medal.
Alter was awarded Padma Shri in 2008 for his services in the field of arts and cinema.
Alter studied acting from 1972 to 1974 in Pune's Film and Television Institute of India and graduated with a gold medal.
Alter was awarded Padma Shri in 2008 for his services in the field of arts an..
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The veteran actor played Chief Custom Officer in his acting debut for Ramanand Sagar's 'Charas' in 1976, starring Dharmendra and Hema Malini. His last film was 'Sargoshiyan' with Alok Nath and Farida Jalal, which released in May this year.
The veteran actor played Chief Custom Officer in his acting debut for Ramanand Sagar's 'Charas' in 1976, starring Dharmendra and Hema Malini. His last film was 'Sargoshiyan' with Alok Nath and Farida..
Read More
The renowned actor also acted in Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' (1977), based on Munshi Premchand's short story.
Alter has appeared in over 300 films like Shyam Benegal's 'Junoon' (1979), Manoj Kumar's 'Kranti' (1981) and Raj Kapoor's 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' (1985), 'Aashiqui', 'Parinda', 'Sardar Patel' and 'Gandhi'.
The renowned actor also acted in Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' (1977), based on Munshi Premchand's short story.
Alter has appeared in over 300 films like Shyam Benegal's 'Junoon' (1979), Mano..
Read More
He has acted in Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Telegu, Tamil and Kumaoni films. His debut in regional cinema was with Kannada film 'Kanneshwara Rama' in 1977.
On television, Alter has worked in popular shows like 'Junoon', 'Zabaan Sambhalke', 'Bharat EK Khoj', 'Shaktimaan', 'Captain Vyom', 'Yahaan Ke Hum Sikandar' and 'Rishton Ka Chakravyuh'.
He has acted in Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Telegu, Tamil and Kumaoni films. His debut in regional cinema was with Kannada film 'Kanneshwara Rama' in 1977.
On television, Alter has worked in popula..
Read More
Alter was closely involved in theatre throughout his career. He co-founded Motley Productions with Naseeruddin Shah and Gilani in 1979. His prominent stage works include the two-and-a-half-hour-long solo play in Urdu, 'Maulana' (in pic), 'Babur ke Aulaad', 'Lal Qile ka Aakhri Mushaira', 'Ghalib ke Khat', 'Teesveen Shatabdi', 'Copenhagen', 'In Ghalib In Delhi' and the theatrical adaptation of William Dalrymple's 'City of Djinns'.
Alter was closely involved in theatre throughout his career. He co-founded Motley Productions with Naseeruddin Shah and Gilani in 1979. His prominent stage works include the two-and-a-half-hour-lon..
