Michael Jeter (August 26, 1952 – March 30, 2003) was an American actor and comedian. Known for his career on stage and screen Jeter played diverse characters taking on roles ranging from eccentric, pretentious, and wimpy characters. He won a Tony Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He portrayed Herman Stiles on the sitcom
Evening Shade from 1990 until 1994. Jeter was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He studied at Memphis State University and later pursued a career in acting. He made his Broadway debut acting in the musical Once in a Lifetime (1979), followed by G. R. Point. For his role as Otto Kringelein in the musical Grand Hotel (1989) he received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He portrayed Giuseppe Zangara in the musical Assassins (1989). Jeter gained notoriety for his roles in
The Fisher King (1991) and
The Green Mile (1999). His other notable film roles include in
Zelig (1983),
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