Obituary: Tolan

Michael Tolan, 85, actor of stage, screen, radio, TV

HUDSON—Michael Tolan passed away January 31, 2011 at age of 85 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, after a courageous battle with multiple illnesses.

He was a man of great integrity and intelligence who excelled in a memorable career that spanned radio, theatre, movies, television, as well as, live poetry readings.

Born Seymour Tuchow in Detroit, MI, Mr. Tolan graduated from Wayne University, had an acting fellowship at Stanford University and was put under contract by Warner Brothers Studio. While at Wayne in the 1940s, his deep sonorous voice was heard originating live on Radio Station WXYZ from Detroit in”The Lone Ranger” and “The Green Hornet.”

He made his debut at age 24 in “The Enforcer.” Other movie credits include, “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” “Julius Caesar,” “John and Mary,” “All That Jazz,” “Presumed Innocent” and “The Perfect Stranger.”

He co-produced “Five ont he Black-Hand Side,” a non-violent movie about an Afro-American family in Harlem.

He had roles on Broadway roles in “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” “A Hatful of Rain,” “Romanoff & Juliet” and “A Far Country.”

Mr. Tolan starred in the TV series, “The Nurses” as Dr. Tazinski and in “The Senator.” He had guest roles on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Murder She Wrote,” dramatic roles in plays produced for the “US Steel Hour” and “The Dupont Show of the Week.”

He was co-founder of The American Place Theater and The Apple Core Theater, an inter-racial repertory group.

Mr. Tolan is survived by his partner, Donna Peck of Copake; three daughters, Alexandra Tolan, Jenny Tolan and Emily Tolan; a brother, Gerald Tuchow and sister-in-law, Marilyn Tuchow of Bloomfield Hills, MI.

A celebration of Mr. Tolan’s life will be held in the spring in Ancram at a date to be announced.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation, 71 Prospect Avenue, Hudson 12534, or the Community Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 327, Copake 12516.