Martin Landau launched his professional journey in the late 1950s, eventually securing an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi in the 1994 film Ed Wood. Over six decades, he cultivated a prolific career as a stage, television, and film actor, becoming a fixture in both high-budget historical epics and experimental science-fiction television series.
Early Development and Training
Born in 1928 in Brooklyn, Landau attended James Madison High School and the Pratt Institute. Before committing to theater, he spent five years as an editorial cartoonist at the New York Daily News, collaborating on the comic strip The Gumps. In 1955, he was one of only two applicants accepted into the Actors Studio out of 500 hopefuls, where he studied under Lee Strasberg, Elia Kazan, and Harold Clurman. He later served as an executive director at the institution, a role he maintained until his death in 2017.
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Landau made his Broadway debut in 1957 with Middle of the Night. His cinematic presence grew with his role as Leonard in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 film North by Northwest. During the 1960s, he appeared in significant productions including Cleopatra and The Greatest Story Ever Told. His television work was extensive, featuring guest appearances on programs such as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and The Wild Wild West.
Mission: Impossible and Leading Roles
Between 1966 and 1969, Landau played master of disguise Rollin Hand in the television series Mission: Impossible. He insisted on a year-by-year contract to keep his film career flexible. Following this, he starred in the science-fiction series Space: 1999 from 1975 to 1977. His later filmography included roles in Rounders, Sleepy Hollow, and the 2015 production Remember.
Professional Recognition
Landau received numerous accolades for his work in the industry. Beyond his 1995 Academy Award, he earned nominations for his roles in Tucker: The Man and His Dream and Crimes and Misdemeanors. He was also a recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role and the 2006 Mary Pickford Award. He held a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, Brooklyn
- Died: 2017, Los Angeles
- Education: James Madison High School, Pratt Institute
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor: 1995
- Mary Pickford Award: 2006
- Burial site: Beth David Cemetery
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
What was Martin Landau's breakthrough television role?
His breakthrough came as Rollin Hand in the series Mission: Impossible, in which he starred from 1966 to 1969.
Did Martin Landau win an Academy Award?
Yes, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1995 for his performance in Ed Wood.
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor — 1995
- Educated at Pratt Institute and James Madison High School
- Worked as film actor, television actor and stage actor
