At the age of 94, Lew Palter, an actor best known for playing Isidor Straus in “Titanic,” passed dead. Palter died on May 21 from lung cancer, according to Palter’s daughter, who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter. Palter’s first love was teaching, despite the fact that his on-screen prowess went much beyond the poignant scene in “Titanic” in which he and his on-screen wife shared a frosty, tragic death. Palter worked at the CalArts School of Theater before this.

Even though the news of Palter’s passing is only now reaching a wider audience, CalArts paid respect to him at the time of his passing. The School of Theater confirmed the passing of Lew Palter, a longtime professor there, in a message posted to its Instagram page. After serving as an acting instructor, director, and mentor at CalArts since 1971, Lew retired in 2013. Lew loved acting and fostered in his students a passion for the industry. He promoted intense interest, care, intelligence, and humor in every scene, play, and class.

Palter was the final “Titanic” actor to pass away. David Warner, the actor who played Spicer Lovejoy, passed away in July 2022.

Sometimes historical coincidences can make the hairs on your arm stand up. For instance, according to the BBC, Lew Palter died roughly a month before the Titan submarine, which exploded and killed the five people on board in an effort to examine the remains of the Titanic, became a global sensation. One of the victims was Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, the company in charge of the entire operation.

It’s interesting to consider the connection between Wendy Rush, Stockton’s widow, and Isidor Straus, the role Palter played in “Titanic” many years ago. According to a statement from The Straus Historical Society (via Today), Wendy Weil Rush, the wife/widow of Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, who perished in the Titanic disaster. Her great-grandmother was Minnie, one of Isidor and Ida’s three daughters. Richard Weil and Minnie got hitched.

Wendy has not yet spoken publicly about her husband’s untimely death. Unfortunately, her period of grief may be impacted by the litigation that could result from this tragedy. Wendy was the director of communications for OceanGate and a part of the expeditions team. According to ABC 7 Chicago, the relatives of the dead may still be able to hold OceanGate legally accountable despite the crew members’ ostensibly irrevocable disclaimers.