Biography for
Martin Balsam More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

4 November 1919, The Bronx, New York, USA

Date of Death

13 February 1996, Rome, Italy (heart attack)

Birth Name

Martin Henry Balsam

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

Studied dramatics at the New School, New York City. Served in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Selected by Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg for the Actors' Studio, 1947. One daughter, actress Talia Balsam.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Irene Miller	(1963 - 13 February 1996) (his death) 2 children
Joyce Van Patten	(1 August 1959 - 14 August 1962) (divorced) 1 child
Pearl Somner	(1952 - 1954) (divorced)

Trivia

Father of actress Talia Balsam, from his marriage to Joyce Van Patten.

Graduated DeWitt Clinton High School in New York. [1938]

He was the first to record the voice of HAL in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), but was passed over in favor of Douglas Rain.

Studied Monkey Kung Fu as a hobby.

Won Broadway's 1968 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running."

Ex-brother-in-law of Dick Van Patten, Pat Van Patten and Timothy Van Patten.

Ex-uncle of Vincent Van Patten, Nels Van Patten and James Van Patten.

A veteran of the famous Actors Studio in New York.

He would express frustration when fans asking for autographs would only seem to remember him falling backwards down the stairway in Psycho (1960). He felt there were so many other challenging roles he would rather be remembered for. Always charming, he simply smiled and provided the signature, just the same.

Former father-in-law of George Clooney.

Played Carroll O'Connor's Jewish business partner for a couple of seasons on "Archie Bunker's Place" (1979). Previously they had performed together in the "The Sacco-Vanzetti Story" on "Sunday Showcase" (1960).

Continued to return to the Actors Studio periodically in later years.

Appears to have died of natural causes. A maid found him lying on the floor near his bed in the upscale Residenza Di Ripetta while he was vacationing in Italy.

Broadway columnist Earl Wilson dubbed him "The Bronx Barrymore".

Made his film debut in the Actors Studio-dominated film On the Waterfront (1954).

Worked as a waiter and as an usher at Radio City Music Hall in New York during his early years of struggle.

Part of the drama club at DeWitt Clinton High School, he studied dramatics at The New School in New York City and then served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Born in The Bronx in New York City to Jewish parents Albert Balsam, a manufacturer of ladies sportswear, and Lillian (née Weinstein). He was the eldest of three children.

Played a psychiatrist in Rod Sterling's "Time Element" which dealt with a patient who kept dreaming that he was back in the time just prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In Tora Tora Tora (1970) he played Admiral Kimmel the naval commander of Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack.

Father of a son, 'Adam Balsam (I)' and a daughter, Zoe Balsam, from his marriage to Irene Miller.

Personal Quotes

I'll tell you, I still don't feel whatever change you're supposed to feel when your name goes up above the title. I think that's because this star thing has never been the first consideration with me. Never. The work has always come first.

I think the average guy has always identified with me.

The supporting role is always potentially the most interesting in a film.

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