The Bronx native Martin Balsam sustained a career as a versatile character actor across film, television, and theatre for over five decades. A recipient of both an Academy Award and a Tony Award, he established his credentials through extensive stage training before securing high-profile roles in cinema classics and appearing frequently in American television series throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Early Development and Military Service
Born in 1919, Balsam attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where he engaged in drama club activities. He later enrolled at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School to study under Erwin Piscator. His acting path was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1941 to 1945. As a sergeant radio operator on a B-24, he saw action in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Stage and Screen Breakthroughs
Balsam made his professional debut in 1941. In 1948, Elia Kazan selected him for the Actors Studio. He remained a consistent presence on Broadway, eventually winning the 1968 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running. His cinematic debut occurred with an uncredited part in the 1954 film On the Waterfront, followed by his role as Juror #1 in the 1957 production 12 Angry Men.
Notable Film and Television Roles
Balsam portrayed private investigator Arbogast in the 1960 film Psycho and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the 1965 film A Thousand Clowns. His television career included recurring parts in Dr. Kildare and the sitcom Archie Bunker's Place. He also appeared in various anthology series including The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, as well as the 1976 television film Raid on Entebbe.
Professional Versatility
His filmography spanned diverse genres, including All the President's Men, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and Catch-22. Though he initially recorded the voice for the HAL 9000 computer in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, his performance was ultimately replaced by Douglas Rain. Later in his career, he participated in several Italian films and poliziottesco productions throughout the 1970s.
Fast facts
- Born: 1919, The Bronx
- Died: 1996, Rome
- Military Rank: Sergeant, United States Army Air Forces
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor: 1966
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play: 1968
- Burial Site: Cedar Park Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Martin Balsam's most famous film role?
He is well remembered for his performances as Juror #1 in 12 Angry Men and as private investigator Milton Arbogast in the film Psycho.
Did Martin Balsam win major acting awards?
Yes, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1966 and the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1968.
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor — 1966
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play — 1968
- Educated at DeWitt Clinton High School and The New School
- Worked as character actor, stage actor and film actor
.jpg)