Veteran Planet of the Apes and Star Trek actor Booth Colman dies, aged 91

The actor was famed for his television career

Booth Colman, known for playing the ape scientist in Seventies television series Planet of the Apes, died on 15 December, aged 91.

The actor passed away in his sleep in Los Angeles.

He was born in Portland, Oregon, and studied at the University of Washington and the University of Michigan. He began his career in radio before going into acting. During World War II, he served in the military intelligence, where he was able to utilise his knowledge of foreign languages.

He appeared in numerous Broadway shows, playing Scrooge from A Christmas Carol on multiple occasions. In 1974, he landed the role of Dr Zaius in television show Planet of the Apes – one of his best-known performances.

Other television credits Star Trek, The Waltons, 77 Sunset Strip, My Name Is Earl and Frasier. He more recently acted in the Coen brothers 2003 film, Intolerable Cruelty, alongside George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones.