# Martin Balsam

> American actor (1919–1996)

**Wikidata**: [Q312107](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312107)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Balsam)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/martin-balsam

## Summary

Martin Balsam was born on November 4, 1919, in The Bronx[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9], and died of a myocardial infarction on February 13, 1996, in Rome[9][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][10]. He was buried at Cedar Park Cemetery[11]. His parents were Albert Balsam and Lillian Weinstein[12][12]. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School and The New School.He worked as a character actor, stage actor, film actor, and television actor. His work included the Western genre. He was married to Joyce Van Patten from 1957 to 1962. He had two children, Talia Balsam and Casey King.

## Summary
Martin Balsam was an American actor whose career spanned from 1947 to 1995, distinguished by his versatility across stage, film, and television. He achieved critical acclaim, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Recognized as a prominent character actor, he portrayed unusual or eccentric characters and participated in World War II.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 4, 1919
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** DeWitt Clinton High School, The New School
- **Known for:** Work as a character actor, stage actor, film actor, and television actor; winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
- **Employer(s/Affiliations:** DeWitt Clinton High School (alumnus), The New School (alumnus)
- **Field(s):** Acting (Character, Stage, Film, Television), Western Genre
- **Conflict:** World War II

## Contributions
Martin Balsam's contributions to the arts are defined by his recognition across multiple prestigious awarding bodies and his longevity in the entertainment industry.
*   **Film Achievement:** He was a recipient of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, an honor presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
*   **Theatrical Achievement:** He won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, an honor presented at the Tony Awards, recognizing his excellence in live performance.
*   **Critical Recognition:** He received the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor, further cementing his status in film history.
*   **Genre Work:** He contributed to the Western genre, a multimedia genre of stories set primarily in the American Old West.
*   **Military Service:** He served as a participant in World War II, the global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945.

## FAQs
**What awards did Martin Balsam win?**
Martin Balsam won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, and the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor.

**Where did Martin Balsam go to school?**
He attended DeWitt Clinton High School, a public secondary school in New York City, and The New School, a private university in New York.

**What was Martin Balsam's acting range?**
He was a multifaceted performer known as a character actor, stage actor, film actor, and television actor, often playing unusual or eccentric characters.

**Did Martin Balsam serve in the military?**
Yes, Martin Balsam is listed as a participant in World War II.

**When was Martin Balsam active?**
His work period began in 1947 and ended in 1995.

## Why They Matter
Martin Balsam matters for his significant impact on the performing arts, demonstrated by his ability to secure top honors in both film and theater. His win of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor highlights a rare dual success in distinct acting disciplines. As a character actor defined by portraying unusual or eccentric personalities, he filled a vital niche in the storytelling landscape of film and television. His career, spanning nearly five decades, coincided with major shifts in the industry, including the Golden Age of Television and the post-war film era.

## Notable For
-   **Academy Award Winner:** Recipient of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
-   **Tony Award Winner:** Recipient of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
-   **National Board of Review Winner:** Recipient of the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor.
-   **Career Longevity:** Active in the industry from 1947 to 1995.
-   **Versatility:** Recognized professionally as a character actor, stage actor, film actor, and television actor.
-   **Genre Participation:** Known for work in the Western genre.
-   **Military Service:** Served in World War II.
-   **Education:** Alumnus of DeWitt Clinton High School and The New School.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Martin Henry Balsam was born on November 4, 1919. He was a citizen of the United States. His educational background included attendance at DeWitt Clinton High School, a public secondary school located in New York City which was established in 1897. He also attended The New School, a private university in New York founded in 1919.

### Career Overview
Martin Balsam's professional work period extended from 1947 to 1995. He was a multifaceted performer classified under several specific occupations within the acting profession. As a **character actor**, he predominantly played unusual or eccentric characters. He was also a **stage actor**, performing live before in-person audiences, a **film actor** appearing in motion pictures, and a **television actor** performing on the small screen. His work included participation in the **Western** genre, which encompasses stories set primarily in the American Old West.

### Military Service
Balsam is recorded as having a connection to World War II, the global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. This involvement places him among the generation of actors who served in the military before or during their entertainment careers.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Balsam received recognition from several prestigious institutions.
*   **Academy Award:** He was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This award is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was instituted in 1936.
*   **Tony Award:** He received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. This honor is presented at the Tony Awards and was instituted in 1947.
*   **National Board of Review Award:** He was the recipient of the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor, an annual film award instituted in 1954.

### Personal Details and Legacy
Martin Balsam's full name was Martin Henry Balsam. He is identified as a human and was affiliated with the United States. His sitelink count across various knowledge bases is 46, indicating a significant level of documentation and interest in his life and work. He passed away in 1996, with source data listing dates of February 13, 1996, and March 13, 1996. His legacy is preserved through his extensive filmography and the accolades he received for his contributions to the arts.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. IMDb
3. BnF authorities
4. Genealogics
5. [Sometimes the Grave Is a Fine and Public Place. 2004](https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/28/nyregion/sometimes-the-grave-is-a-fine-and-public-place.html)
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. [Source](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22957/martin-balsam#source)
10. SNAC
11. Find a Grave
12. Internet Broadway Database
13. Discogs
14. Czech National Authority Database
15. Munzinger Personen
16. Library of Congress Authorities
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. [Source](https://apnews.com/7cf7d7e6c4be96313572a9429fa77664)
19. CONOR.SI
20. Rivista del Cinematografo
21. Quora
22. The Movie Database
23. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data