Uttarakhand Governor Dr K K Paul condoled the death of veteran film and theatre actor Tom Alter, 67, who died in Mumbai on Friday after fighting a protracted battle with skin cancer. Notably, the actor hailed from Uttarakhand.
While praying for peace of the departed soul, Dr Paul said his death was an irreparable loss for the world of acting. Alter, born and brought up in Mussoorie, had been associated with film and theatre for years, he said in his message. He was also a writer, the Governor noted, adding that he had been bestowed with Padma Shri award for his immense contribution to the world of cinema, art and literature.
He was survived by his wife Carol, son Jamie and daughter Afshaan. Alter acted in over 300 films apart from numerous TV shows, most famously as the gangster Keshav Kalsi in the hit soap opera Junoon which ran for a record five years during the 1990s.
Apart from acting, Alter also ventured into the realm of direction. He was a sports journalist in the 1980s and 1990s. Alter has written three books, one non-fiction and two fictions. In 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India in recognition for his contribution to the field of art and cinema.
A pall of gloom descended on the State, particularly Mussoorie and Dehradun, as the news of the actor’s death reached. Condolence messages sent by his admirers started pouring on the social networking sites since the time his death was announced.
