Ed Lauter was an actor who appeared in more than 200 films and television series in a career that spanned more than 40 years. A prolific character actor, he was a familiar face in supporting roles, often as menacing antagonists and gruff authority figures.

His feature film credits included The Longest Yard, Family Plot, French Connection II, King Kong, Magic, Leaving Las Vegas, Mulholland Falls, Seabiscuit, The Number 23, Trouble with the Curve and The Artist. At the time of his passing he had three films yet to be released: The Town That Dreaded Sundown, Becker's Farm and The Grave.

Lauter also worked widely in television, amassing dozens of guest roles in shows such as Mannix, Cannon, Ironside, The Streets of San Francisco, Kojak, Baretta, Police Story, The Rockford Files, Charlie's Angels, Hawaii Five-O, Simon & Simon, Magnum P.I., The A-Team, Miami Vice, NYPD Blue, Cold Case, CSI and many others. In addition, he had recurring roles on ER, Psych and Shameless.