Steven Keats(1945-1994)

Excellent, prolific, and versatile film, stage, and television actor Steven Keats was born on February 6, 1945 in The Bronx, New York City, to a Danish-born father from Copenhagen and an NY-born mother, both of Polish Jewish descent. Keats grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn and graduated from the High School for Performing Arts in Manhattan. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War in 1965 and 1966. Following his tour of duty, Steven returned to the United States and attended both the Yale School of Drama and Montclair State College. Keat made his Broadway stage debut in 1970 as part of the second cast for "Oh! Calcutta." His most memorable movie roles include spaced-out punk hood Jackie Brown in "The Friends of Eddie Coyle," Charles Bronson's son-in-law Jack Toby in "Death Wish," Carol Kane's Americanized Jewish immigrant husband Jake Putkovsky in "Hester Street," Robert Shaw's Israeli sidekick Moshevsky in "Black Sunday," and obsessive mad scientist Dr. Philip Spires in "Silent Rage." Steven was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for his exceptional portrayal of ruthless Depression-era rag trade tycoon Jay Blackman in the mini-series "Seventh Avenue." Among the many shows Keats made guest appearances on are "Kojak," "The Streets of San Francisco," "The Rockford Files," "Starsky and Hutch," "Barnaby Jones," "Cagney & Lacey," "The Love Boat," "The A-Team," "Hunter," "T.J. Hooker," "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "Matlock," and "MacGyver." Moreover, he played Thomas Edison on an episode of "Voyagers!". He was the father of sons Shane and Thatcher. Steven was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on May 8, 1994; the cause of death was ruled an apparent suicide. Keats was only 49 years old.