Battlestar Galactica actor Terry Carter has been found dead at his home, aged 95.
The star’s death was confirmed by his son in the New York Times on Tuesday evening (April 23). In the 1950s trailblazer Terry became the first black actor to become a sitcom series regular, starring as Private Sugarman on The Phil Rivers Show from 1955-1959.
A decade later, meanwhile, he was the first black TV news anchor and movie critic for WBZ-TV Eyewitness News in Boston, Massachusetts. He went on to star in Company of Killers (1970), McCloud (1970-1977), but his most famous role – as Colonel Tigh in sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica spanned from 1978 to 1979.
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Mourning his loss on X (formerly Twitter), one user penned in tribute: “Condolences to his family and friends. I loved him on Battlestar Galactica. Another wrote: “Met him a couple of times and he was without any doubt one of the nicest actors I have ever met. A real gentleman. Thanks for the great memories.”
A third gushed: Can we spare a moment to honor the passing of a wonderful actor & human being, Terry Carter, who marked my childhood as COL Tigh in the 1978 #BattlestarGalactica – a role model as a determined, kind, indefatigable XO of the best Battlestar in the galaxy.”
And a fourth said: “An actor who always was enjoyable to watch, on series including McCloud and Battlestar Galactica and though I pride myself on TV knowledge, I’ll admit that I didn’t know until today that he also was a Boston news anchor-reporter for a time. Rest in peace, Terry Carter.”
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
A statement on Terry’s web site read: “Terry Carter best known for his roles as “Sgt. Joe Broadhurst” on the TV series McCloud and as “Colonel Tigh” on the original Battlestar Galactica died peacefully at home on April 23rd, 2024.
“Mr. Carter, an American actor and filmmaker was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 16, 1928 as John Everett DeCoste, the only child of William and Mercedes DeCoste. Carter’s mother was a native of the Dominican Republic and his father was American born, of Argentine and African-American descent.”
In 1979, Terry formed the Council for Positive Images – a non-profit organisation helping to enhance intercultural and interethnic understanding through audiovisual communication. And a year later he served two terms on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and worked with the Documentary Committee and Foreign Films Committee for the Oscars.
After detailing the highs of a stellar acting career and other endeavours, the statement closed: “Mr. Carter later retired to his home town of New York City where he lived until his passing. He is survived by his wife Etaferhu Zenebe-DeCoste, his 2 children Miguel and Melinda, Mrs. Zenebe-DeCoste’s daughter, a grand daughter, and many cousins.
“Twice widowed, he was preceded in death by his late wifes Anna DeCoste (1964–1990) and Beate Glatved DeCoste (1991–2006). A private family memorial has been planned.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
