Veteran theatre and film personality and Padma Shri awardee Tom Alter passes away in Mumbai aged 67 after a long battle with skin cancer.
Tom Alter was born in 1950 in Mussoorie, the son of American missionaries. He studied at Woodstock School in Mussoorie and later at Pune's Film and Television Institute.
Made his big screen debut in 1976 with Dharmendra in Charas and later went on to work in films such as Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Gandhi, Kranti, Aashiqui, Junoon, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Parinda, Bose: The Forgotten Hero and Veer Zara.
Alter�s last Bollywood film was director Imran Khan�s Sargoshiyan, which released earlier this year.
But it was his sitcom Zabaan Sambhalke (1993-1997) that made him a household name. The series, also starring Pankaj Kapoor, was the adaptation of British sitcom, Mind Your Language (1977).
On TV, Alter's leading work came in Junoon, Zabaan Sambhalke, Jugalbandi, Bharat EK Khoj, Ghutan, Shaktimaan, Captain Vyom, Mere Ghar Aana Zindagi and Yahaan Ke Hum Sikandar.
Most recently, he was seen in a pivotal role in the ongoing serial Rishton Ka Chakravyuh on Star Plus.
Besides films and television, Alter�s presence in theatre has been noteworthy. His prominent stage work includes the two-and-a-half-hour-long solo play in Urdu, 'Maulana', 'Babur ke Aulaad', 'Lal Qile ka Aakhri Mushaira', 'Ghalib ke Khat', 'Trisanga', 'Teesveen Shatabdi', Copenhagen' and the theatrical reproduction of William Dalrymple's 'City of Djinns'.
He also worked in Bengali, Assamese and Telugu cinema. A cricket enthusiast, he also wrote for several sporting journals and was a published author.
Tom was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 2008 for his services to the field of arts and cinema.
Tom Alter acted in over 300 movies, and had approximately 16 unreleased films lined up as well as a web series by Eros Now titled Smoke.
He is survived by his wife Carol, son Jamie and daughter Afshaan.
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'Lal Qile Ka Aakhri Mushaira'
Ghalib Ke Khat
Tom Alter was also a part of other hit TV shows like Shaktiman and Captain Vyom, both extremely popular with kids.
Tom Alter was the first journalist to interview cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for TV in 1988.
At the time of the interview, Sachin was yet to debut for India.
At the time of the interview, Sachin was yet to debut for India.
RIP Tom Alter, a blue eyed Gora Saheb of Bollywood, sports lover and reciter of Urdu poetry. ??
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#Lal_Qile_Ka_Aakhri_Mushaira #GhalibKeKhat #TomAlter, #PierrotsTroupe #RIPTomAlter #?????_????? #???_?????