The entertainment world lost a trailblazing icon this week with the passing of Terry Carter. The prolific actor, best known for his roles in classic 1970s series like McCloud and the original Battlestar Galactica, died peacefully at his home in New York City on April 23rd, 2024. He was 95 years old. In this article we will be Celebrating the Legacy of Terry Carter, Who Died at 95- His Life and Career Highlights.
Over his decades-long career,
Terry Carter leveraged his talents not just for personal success, but to open doors for other minorities in the entertainment industry. As one of the first Black actors to land a regular part on a major network sitcom, his charm and charisma on shows like The Phil Silvers Show in the 1950s helped pave the way for broader representation on the small screen.
Born in Brooklyn in 1928, Carter displayed a passion for performing from a young age. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he returned stateside to launch his acting career on the New York stage. His breakout role came in 1955 when he was cast as the affable Private Sugarman on Sgt. Bilko, starring comedy legend Phil Silvers. Carter’s likeability made him an instant fan favorite, and he remained a series regular for the show’s entire four-year run.
After Bilko left the air in 1959, Carter continued working steadily in television while expanding into film. Notable early movie credits included 1963’s The Cool World, directed by Shirley Clarke, and the Sidney Poitier vehicle A Patch of Blue in 1965. On TV, he won acclaim for his portrayal of physician Dr. Dan Marsh on the soap opera Harris Against the World.
In the late 1960s, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Terry Carter made history again when he was hired as a news anchor and reporter for WBZ-TV in Boston. As one of the first Black broadcast journalists in New England, Carter handled his duties with an easy confidence that quickly endeared him to viewers. His talents as a thespian also enabled him to provide colorful commentary in his role as the station’s movie and drama critic.
After two groundbreaking years in Boston news,
Carter returned to his true passion in Hollywood. In 1970 he landed the role of Sgt. Joe Broadhurst on McCloud, an NBC crime drama starring Dennis Weaver. As Deputy Marshal McCloud’s loyal, streetwise partner, Carter added doses of humor and heart for seven popular seasons. Fans particularly loved the easy buddy chemistry between Carter and Weaver.
Buoyed by his ongoing success,
Carter co-founded an organization called the Council for Positive Images in 1979. Dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, it produced acclaimed documentaries on historical and social issues for PBS. During this period Carter also served on the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Board of Governors, where he made important contributions to the documentary and foreign film selection process for the Oscars.
But the veteran actor’s most beloved late-career role was yet to come. In 1978 ABC launched an ambitious sci-fi series called Battlestar Galactica, capitalizing on the massive success of Star Wars the year before. As Colonel Tigh, the stalwart second-in-command of the Galactica starship fleet, Carter turned in a powerful performance full of gravitas and leadership. To legions of fans, he essentially served as the proto-Samuel L. Jackson of the Battlestar universe.
Though Galactica only ran for one season, it lived on famously through syndication. Carter’s Tigh remained hugely popular over 40 years later, even as the franchise spawned acclaimed reboots. Hardcore fans still felt the original Colonel Tigh could never be topped.
In the 1980s and beyond, Terry Carter continued working in small roles on series like MacGyver, L.A. Law and even Mad Men in the 2000s. Approaching his 80s and 90s, the dynamic actor never lost his passion for the craft or desire to keep entertaining.
On April 23rd, 2024, Carter passed away peacefully at 95 years old in his longtime home of New York City. He is survived by his wife, Etaferahu Zenebe-DeCoste, his son Miguel, daughter Melinda, and grandchildren.
Over a groundbreaking, seven-decade career, Terry Carter leveraged his fame and influence to open doors for Black artists and promote positive social change. In the process he became forever woven into the fabric of American television history. His loss leaves a void in the entertainment world, but Carter’s legacy lives on through his unforgettable characters and the inspiration he provided future generations of Black creators and performers. He will be dearly missed. I sincerely hope you find this “Celebrating the Legacy of Terry Carter, Who Died at 95- His Life and Career Highlights” article helpful.
