Tributes made to Titanic actor Lew Palter, 94, who portrayed Macy’s co-owner Isidor Straus

Tributes have been made to actor Lew Palter, recognised for his role as Macy’s co-owner Isidor Straus in the 1997 movie ‘Titanic,’ who has died aged 94 of lung cancer. The news was announced by his family recently, with the actor having succumbed to the illness on May 21 2023.

His historic character in ‘Titanic’ also has links to the real-life disaster involving OceanGate’s Titan submersible, as Straus is related to the wife of former OceanGate CEO, Stockton Rush.

The actor, who also played Justice Benjamin Halperin in the 1981 film ‘First Monday in October’, became a familiar face on US television, making guest appearances in popular programs such as The A-Team, Day by Day, Charlie's Angels, Columbo, Mission: Impossible and Kojak to name a few.

Palter's passion for the performing arts led him to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in theatre at Northwestern University. Following his education, he began his career in New York, showcasing his acting skills in notable productions such as The Madwoman of Chaillot and An Enemy of the People. 

Additionally, Palter displayed his directing talents in Off-Broadway plays like ‘Let Man Live’, ‘Overruled’ and ‘The Trial of Lucullus’. In 1965, he collaborated with Robert L. Hobbs to direct and produce performances at the Millbrook Playhouse.

But those of us of a certain age will remember his haunting image in James Cameron’s disaster epic, holding his wife Ida Straus on top of a bed as the RMS Titanic began to sink; Palter was one of a number of actors to portray historic characters that appeared alongside fictional characters such as Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jack and Kate Winslet’s Rose.

A number of Hollywood stars have paid tribute to Palter, many of which including Don Cheadle, Ed Harris and SNL alum Cecily Strong having been taught by Palter. In a message on her social media channels, Strong wrote “What a great teacher. Lew Palter. Scratched his big giant ears and hit his "Ks" so wet and reminded us often that as the great Bertolt Brecht said, ‘The proof is in the pudding.’”

Who was Isidor Straus?

Isidor Straus, a Bavarian-born American businessman and politician, is recognized for his prominent role as the co-owner of Macy's department store, alongside his brother Nathan. Born on February 6, 1845, he achieved success in the retail industry and also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for a brief period. Tragically, Isidor Straus, along with his wife Ida, met their fate in the historic sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Isidor Straus came from a Jewish family and was born in Otterberg, Bavaria, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. In 1854, he immigrated to the United States with his family, settling in Columbus, Georgia, before moving to New York City after the Civil War. In New York, Isidor worked at L. Straus & Sons, which later became the glass and china department at Macy's. In 1888, he and his brother Nathan became partners of Macy's, eventually acquiring full ownership of R.H. Macy & Co. Isidor Straus also played an active role in the community, serving as a U.S. Congressman from New York's 15th congressional district for a brief period.

The tragic event that forever etched Isidor Straus' name in history occurred on the Titanic's ill-fated voyage. While returning from Europe with his wife, Ida, the ship struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912. Despite the opportunity to board a lifeboat, Isidor chose to remain with his beloved wife, refusing any special treatment. Witnesses recounted their unwavering love and devotion as they were last seen arm in arm on the ship's deck. Isidor's body was recovered and laid to rest in the Straus Mausoleum in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York. 

Although Ida's body was never found, the family memorialised their bond with a cenotaph featuring a poignant quote from the Song of Solomon: "Many waters cannot quench love—neither can the floods drown it."

Eerily, the Straus family have ties to Wendy Rush, herself having to contend with the loss of a loved one around the same area as the RMS Titanic sunk - she was the wife of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, one of the five men presumed dead after the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible.