Michael Jeter

Michael Jeter
Jeter at the 44th Emmy Awards in 1992
Born(1952-08-26)August 26, 1952
DiedMarch 30, 2003(2003-03-30) (aged 50)
Los Angeles, California
Alma materMemphis State University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1977–2003
PartnerSean Blue (1995–2003)

Michael Jeter (/ˈtər/; August 26, 1952 – March 30, 2003) was an American actor and comedian. Known for his career on stage and screen Jeter played diverse characters taking on roles ranging from eccentric, pretentious, and wimpy characters. He won a Tony Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He portrayed Herman Stiles on the sitcom Evening Shade from 1990 until 1994.

Jeter was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He studied at Memphis State University and later pursued a career in acting. He made his Broadway debut acting in the musical Once in a Lifetime (1979), followed by G. R. Point. For his role as Otto Kringelein in the musical Grand Hotel (1989) he received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He portrayed Giuseppe Zangara in the musical Assassins (1989).

Jeter gained notoriety for his roles in The Fisher King (1991) and The Green Mile (1999). His other notable film roles include in Zelig (1983), Miller's Crossing (1990), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), Air Bud (1997), Mouse Hunt (1998), Patch Adams (1998), Jurassic Park III (2001), Open Range (2003), and The Polar Express (2004). He also appeared on Sesame Street's Elmo's World as Mister Noodle from 2000 to 2003.