Director Milton Katselas Dies at 75

Milton Katselas, a well-known stage and film director and noted acting teacher, died in Los Angeles on Friday, October 24 of heart failure, according to The Los Angeles Times. He was 75.

Katselas’ many stage credits included the Off-Brodway premiere of Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story, Broadway revivals of The Rose Tattoo and Camino Real, and Butterflies Are Free, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Director. He also directed that show’s 1972 film version, which earned an Oscar for Eileen Heckart, as well as the film versions of 40 Carats and When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder.

He began teaching acting in New York in 1957, and in 1978, he founded the Beverly Hills Playhouse acting school. His many students included George Clooney, Alec Baldwin, Michelle Pfeiffer, Gene Hackman, Doris Roberts, Joan Van Ark, Kate Hudson, Tyne Daly, Kim Cattrall, Tony Danza, and Chris Noth.

He also founded the Camelot Artists Theatre Company and was the author of two books, Dreams Into Action: Getting What You Want and Acting Class: Take a Seat.

He is survived by his siblings, Tasso, Chris, and Sophia.