‘Terrific actor’: Battlestar Galactica star dead at 95

Fans are mourning a “terrific actor” who starred in Battlestar Galactica after his family announced his death aged 95.

Battlestar Galactica star Terry Carter has died at the age of 95.

The actor, who broke barriers in the TV industry in the 1950s, was confirmed dead by his son.

Terry died peacefully at his home in New York City, his son told the New York Times on Tuesday.

As stated on his website, a private ceremony has been planned for his family, The Sun reports.

In the mid-1950s, Terry was the first Black actor to be a series regular on a sitcom series.

He portrayed Private Sugarman on The Phil Silvers Show for 92 episodes from 1955-1959.

From 1965 to 1968, the actor was the first Black TV news anchor and movie critic for WBZ-TV Eyewitness News in Boston, Massachusetts.

He also starred in Company of Killers (1970), McCloud (1970-1977), and his most famous role as Colonel Tigh in ABC’s sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica in 1978-1977.

Terry Carter has died at the age of 95. Picture: Getty Images

His impact

In 1979, Terry formed the Council for Positive Images, a non-profit organisation that helps enhance intercultural and interethnic understanding through audiovisual communication.

Terry also went on to direct documentary specials for PBS that focused on historical and cultural topics.

In 1980, he served two terms on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and worked with the Documentary Committee and Foreign Films Committee for the Oscars.

Five years later, he received a Los Angeles Emmy Award for his involvement in the TV miniseries, K*I*D*S, which focused on multiracial young teenagers dealing with conflicts at the time.

In 1988, he produced and directed a TV movie dedicated to the music legend, Duke Ellington.

He was most known for his role as Colonel Tigh in ABC’s Battlestar Galactica. Picture: Getty Images

His family

Terry later retired and went back to his New York apartment.

He was living with his third wife, Etaferhu Zenebe-DeCoste, and his two children: Miguel and Melinda.

He also lived with his wife’s daughter, granddaughter, and cousins.

In the past, he was married twice to his late wives Anna DeCoste (1964–1990) and Beate Glatved DeCoste (1991–2006).

Fan reactions

On X, formerly Twitter, fans mourned the late TV star.

“[He] will be missed,” one fan wrote.

“Condolences to his family and friends. I loved him on Battlestar Galactica,” tweeted another.

A third said, “Met him a couple of times and he was without any doubt one of the nicest actors I have ever met. A real gentleman. Thanks for the great memories.”

“He was a terrific actor and even more terrific human being,” stated a fourth.

A fifth said, “Can we spare a moment to honour the passing of a wonderful actor & human being, Terry Carter, who marked my childhood as COL Tigh in the 1978 #BattlestarGalactica - a role model as a determined, kind, indefatigable XO of the best battlestar in the galaxy.”

This story was published by The Sun and reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘Terrific actor’: Battlestar Galactica star dead at 95