Acting Pioneer Peter Kass Dies

Broadway actor/director PETER KASS has died from heart failure. He was 85.

Kass passed away in New York on Monday (04Aug08), his son Robbie has confirmed.

Kass, a protege of American playwright Clifford Odets, is known for directing the first incarnation of 1972 showbusiness drama The Country Girl in a New Hampshire playhouse before it was taken to Broadway, where he was cast in a supporting role.

He also appeared in Broadway roles including Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit, before going on to direct four Broadway plays, including Odets' Night Music and 1964 show The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window.

Kass later became known as a celebrated acting teacher, holding court at Boston and New York Universities through the 1970s and coaching students including Faye Dunaway, Olympia Dukakis and Val Kilmer.

His son Robbie says: "He never even raised his voice to his children. If he raised his voice to his students, it was out of passion, to get a performance."

Kass is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Nance Robbins as well as two sons and five grandchildren.