Veteran theatre, television and film actor Tom Alter, best known for his performances in Shatranj Ke Khilari, Junoon and Kranti, passed away at age 67. The Padma Shri awardee, who had been battling stage four of skin cancer, died on Friday night at his residence in Mumbai. The actor was diagnosed with cancer last year and treated for the same but earlier this month he suffered a relapse and was admitted to Saifee hospital in Mumbai.
Mourning Alter’s demise, President Ram Nath Kovind offered condolences to the actor’s family.
“Sad to hear of demise of veteran actor Tom Alter. He will be remembered by film lovers. Condolences to his family #PresidentKovind,” he posted on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief and recalled Alter’s contribution to film and theatre.
An Indian actor of American descent, Alter was born to American Christian missionary parents in Mussoorie in 1950. Alter was working as a teacher in a school in Jagadhri, Haryana, when he was bitten by the acting bug after watching Rajesh Khanna-Sharmila Tagore’s Aradhana.
The actor soon joined Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, where he studied acting from 1972 to 1974 and graduated with a gold medal. He made his film acting debut in 1976 with Ramanand Sagar’s directorial venture "Charas", which starred Dharmendra and Hema Malini in lead role.
On television, Alter worked in popular shows like Junoon, Zabaan Sambhalke, and Bharat EK Khoj.
His last film was Sargoshiyan with Alok Nath and Farida Jalal. The film released in May this year.
Alter is survived by his wife Carol, son Jamie, and daughter Afshaan.