Oscar Winner Martin Landau Passes Away at 89

The New York Times reports that actor Martin Landau, best known for his roles on the television series MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE and his Oscar-winning portrayal of Bela Lugosi in the film ED WOOD, passed away on Saturday, July 15th in Los Angeles at the age of 89. His publicist confirmed news of his death.

Landau's career began in the 1950s, with early film appearances including a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest (1959). He played regular roles in the television series Mission: Impossible (for which he received several Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award) and Space: 1999.

Landau received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture, as well as his first nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role in Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988); he received his second Oscar nomination for his appearance in Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989). His performance in the supporting role of Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood (1994) earned him an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe Award. He continued to perform in film and TV, and headed the Hollywood branch of the Actors Studio until his death.

Below, watch Landau discuss his role as Bela Lugosi in ED WOOD:

Image: Screengrab

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