R.I.P. – Martin Landau Dies At 89!

Even more sad news as Martin Landau has died yesterday at the age of 89. He was an Oscar-winner for portraying Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood. He died Saturday at 89 following “unexpected complications” after a brief stay at the UCLA Medical Center, his publicist Dick Guttman confirmed Sunday.

In a career spanning more than half a century of roles on television and film, Landau may have been best known for his run as undercover operative Rollin Hand in the Mission: Impossible TV series that initially ran from 1966 to 1973 on CBS. The show co-starred Landau’s wife at the time, Barbara Bain.

Also known for his varied roles in classic films from Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest to Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors, Landau was not only one of the most familiar faces in Hollywood but also one of the most highly regarded character actors in the business. “Martin Landau is living proof that Hollywood will find great roles for great actors at any stage of their careers,” said Guttman in confirming his client’s death.

His contributions to our genre include the TV series Space:1999, Alien Attack, The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Frankenweenie, Sleepy Hollow, The X-Files, Alone In The Dark, Ed Wood, and many others.

Landau was a consummate character actor that excelled in every role he took. Not many other actors had his screen presence and commandment of his craft. I for one will miss him and his many screen credits.

All of us here at Horror Patch would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Mr. Landau’s friends and family.

R.I.P. – Martin Landau 1928 – 2017