Introduction
Ed Lauter is a veteran actor that has had roles in various dramas and sitcoms. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his role as Walter Matthau’s parole officer in The Longest Yard.
Early life
Ed Lauter was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to a German father and Slovenian mother; his paternal family was from Alsace-Lorraine. He grew up in a Catholic family with six siblings. Lauter studied business at Boston College for two years before dropping out to pursue an acting career.
Career
Lauter’s first acting job was on the daytime soap opera Dark Shadows. He had a recurring role as Victor, the nephew of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (portrayed by Helen Wagner), and worked at the Collins-Stoddard estate as a groundskeeper. Lauter then took a role in another soap opera, All My Children, as Bob Ryan.
He made his film debut in 1975 in National Lampoon’s Animal House. After his success in the film, he moved on to have a cameo in the sequel, National Lampoon’s European Vacation. He also had a minor role in Twilight Zone: The Movie.
In 1978, he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Deer Hunter. This was only one year after he had been nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Walter Matthau’s parole officer in The Longest Yard.
Lauter starred in the comedy sequels National Lampoon’s Vacation, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and National Lampoon’s European Vacation. He also starred in the movies Lethal Weapon, The Gumball Rally, Hot Pursuit, and Cutthroat Island.
In 1990, Lauter took a break from acting when he wrote his first novel, “Waltzing with Sinatra.” He then went on to pay for the movie rights to his book and directed it himself in 1991. Lauter then returned to his acting career and appeared in the 1993 film, Needful Things.
In 2005, Lauter was featured in two different projects. He had a minor role in the blockbuster Batman Begins as Robert Earle (one of the bus passengers that Bane knocks out). He also had a role on King of the Hill as Buck Strickland’s parole officer.
Currently, Lautner is working on The Assistants sitcom, which has yet to be released. You might also recognize him from his minor roles in Criminal Minds and Supernatural.
Conclusion
Ed Lauter had a successful career as an actor, and he was nominated for awards such as the Oscar and Golden Globe. He has also shaped the genre of comedy films through his work in movies such as National Lampoon’s Vacation, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and National Lampoon’s European Vacation.
