Paul Kent dies at 80
Actor-director was key figure in L.A. theater
By Variety Staff

Film, television and stage actor-director Paul Kent, a leading figure in the Los Angeles and regional theatrical community for more than 50 years, died at his Hollywood Hills home on Friday, Oct. 7. He was 80 and succumbed after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma.
In addition to decades as an actor in films, television and the legitimate stage, Kent founded 35 years ago and was artistic director of the original Melrose Theater. He subsequently partnered with actress Jomarie Ward, and together they produced, taught and directed a wide variety of theater, eliciting DramaLogue and Drama Critics Circle awards, including the Margaret Harford Award naming the Melrose "the most consistently praiseworthy theater in Los Angeles." In between their own productions, the theater was leased for many years to HBO Films and independent theatrical productions.

Born in Brooklyn, Kent trained as an actor and theatrical entrepreneur at the Pasadena Playhouse, interrupting his career with a stint in the Army during the Korean War.

In addition to his prolific work as an actor, he was an activist largely responsible for the Equity Waiver policy in Hollywood. He also served as an assistant to prominent acting coach Sanford Meisner, was the first actor signed to a contract by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Desilu Studios and was selected to be Ball's assistant director during her time developing new performers at her Desilu Theater.

In a career spanning more than 100 television and feature film appearances, he was first seen onscreen in "December Bride" and "My Three Sons" and continued through "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Hawaii Five-O" to "The West Wing," "Frasier" and "E.R." He recurred on "Hotel," "Falcon Crest," "Mod Squad," "T.J. Hooker" and "Lou Grant"as well as the soap operas "Port Charles" and "The Young and the Restless." Among two dozen movies for television were the original and a later second version of Manson murders story "Helter Skelter," as well as 1973's "The Alpha Caper," with Henry Fonda and Leonard Nimoy; "Hoover"; "The Astronaut"; "The President's Plane Is Missing"; "Family Flight"; and "Death Valley."

Film credits include "Seconds," with Rock Hudson; "Lifeguard"; "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3"; and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn," as Commander Beach; and Alex Monty Canawati's "Return to Babylon."

Onstage, he appeared as Nathan Detroit with Jack Jones in "Guys and Dolls"; John Saxon in "The Price"; Lainie Kazan, "Fiddler on the Roof"; Carole Cook and Barbara Rush, "Father's Day"; William Shatner, "Otherwise Engaged"; and Richard Dreyfuss, "Mamma's House."

Heinz Bennent (born July 18, 1921 - died October 12, 2011 was a German actor.

His career began after the end of World War II in Göttingen. He moved to Switzerland in the 1970s, where he still lived until his death. His children, Anne Bennent and David Bennent also work as actors.

Awards
In 1980 Bennent was nominated for the César Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Last Metro

Selected filmography
1994 : Maigret et le fantôme: Gustav Jonker
1986 : Le Tiroir secret
1982 : Via degli specchi
1982 : L'amour des femmes
1982 : Espion, lève-toi : Meyer
1981 : Possession : Heinrich
1980 : The Last Metro : Lucas Steiner
1980 : From the Life of the Marionettes : Arthur Brenner
1979 : The Tin Drum : Greff
1978 : Germany in Autumn
1977 : The Serpent's Egg : Hans Vergerus
1975 - 1983 : Derrick
Season 2, Episode 6: "Paddenberg" (1975)
Season 5, Episode 9: "Lissas Vater" (1978)
Season 9, Episode 3: "Nachts in einem fremden Haus" (1982)
Season 10, Episode 3: "Geheimnisse einer Nacht" (1983)
1975 : Sisters, or the Balance of Happiness
1975 : The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum : Dr. Hubert Blorna
1975 : The Net
1975 : Ice Age
1972 : Der Kommissar

Obit- (in German)-

http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/buehne-und-konzert/zum-tod-des-schauspielers-heinz-bennent-tiefe-ist-gar-nicht-noetig-11490810.html