Martin Balsam

Biography

Martin Balsam was a versatile and respected American character actor whose career spanned over five decades in film, television, and theater. Born in the Bronx to Russian-Jewish immigrants, Balsam studied drama at the Actor’s Studio in New York and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he pursued acting in earnest, eventually becoming a staple of mid-20th-century American cinema.

Career Highlights

Film Career:
Balsam gained widespread recognition for his subtle, grounded performances in some of Hollywood's most enduring classics. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for A Thousand Clowns (1965). Other major film credits include:

12 Angry Men (1957) – as Juror #1

Psycho (1960) – as Detective Arbogast

Cape Fear (1962)

Catch-22 (1970)

All the President’s Men (1976) – as Washington Post editor Howard Simons

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

Balsam was known for portraying intelligent, everyman characters—often journalists, lawyers, or government officials—with nuance and empathy.

Television and Stage:
In addition to his film work, Balsam had an extensive television career, appearing in series such as The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Columbo, and Murder, She Wrote. He also won a Tony Award in 1968 for his performance in the Broadway play You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running.

Personal Life and Legacy

Balsam was married to actress Joyce Van Patten, with whom he had a daughter, actress Talia Balsam. He later remarried and lived in both the U.S. and Italy.

Martin Balsam passed away in 1996 in Rome, leaving behind a legacy of richly drawn, memorable supporting roles. He is remembered as a consummate character actor who brought dignity and realism to every performance.