Terry Carter was an accomplished American actor and filmmaker who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry died he was 95

Terry Carter was an accomplished American actor and filmmaker who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Born John Everett DeCoste on December 16, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, Carter had a diverse background, with a mother from the Dominican Republic and a father of Argentinian and African-American descent.

(December 16, 1928 – April 23, 2024)

After graduating from Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, Carter pursued higher education, attending several institutions, including Hunter College, UCLA, Boston University, and Northeastern University. It was at Northeastern that he eventually completed his Bachelor of Science degree in communications in 1983, decades after initially dropping out.Carter's acting career began on the stage, with several productions on Broadway and off-Broadway. His Broadway credits included playing the male lead opposite the legendary Eartha Kitt in the play "Mrs. Patterson" and performing the title role in the musical extravaganza "Kwamina."In the 1960s, Carter transitioned to television, working as a weekend newscaster for WBZ-TV in Boston. During his three-year stint, he became known as the world's first black TV newsman and served as New England television's first black opening-night movie and theater critic. However, his departure from the station was not without controversy, as he claimed he had been fired due to Westinghouse's (the station's owner) objections to his involvement in numerous community projects.Throughout his career, Carter appeared in numerous television series, specials, and theatrical

films. He was a regular cast member of the popular sitcom "The Phil Silvers Show," playing the role of Pvt. Sugie Sugarman in 91 episodes between 1955 and 1959. He also had roles in other notable shows, such as "Breaking Point," "Combat!," and the children's film "Benji."Carter's most well-known role, however, was as Colonel Tigh in the original "Battlestar Galactica" television series. He was initially cast as Lieutenant Boomer but was later offered the role of Tigh, the second-in-command of the ragtag fleet of starships, making the series notable for having more than one regular African-American character in the principal cast.

In addition to his acting work, Carter was also a prolific producer and director. In 1975, he founded a small Los Angeles-based production company, Meta/4 Productions, Inc., through which he produced and directed industrial and educational presentations for the federal government. He also served as the president of Council for Positive Images, Inc., a non-profit organization he formed in 1979, dedicated to enhancing intercultural and interethnic understanding through audiovisual communication.Under the Council's auspices, Carter produced and directed award-winning dramatic and documentary programs for presentation on PBS and distribution worldwide. Some of his notable projects include the dance documentary "Katherine Dunham Technique," the musical documentary "A Duke Named Ellington," and the historical drama "Once Upon A Vision."Terry Carter passed away on April 23, 2024, in New York City, at the age of 95. His legacy as an accomplished actor, producer, and director, as well as his pioneering work in television and his dedication to promoting cross-cultural understanding, will undoubtedly continue to inspire and influence generations to come.

Awards

• Emmy Award, Los Angeles, Best Series for Children and Youth, 1985, for K*I*D*S
• Emmy Nomination, Best Informational Special, 1989, for A Duke Named Ellington
• CINE Golden Eagle, 1989, for A Duke Named Ellington
• Golden Antenna, 1989, for A Duke Named Ellington
• Award for Excellence, L. A. Film Review Board, 1977, for Child Abuse & Neglect Series

Did you know that Terry Carter won an Emmy Award in Los Angeles, for Best Series for Children and Youth, 1985, for K*I*D*S

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