Theodore Cleanthis Beniades

Theodore Cleanthis Beniades, a consummate entertainer and man of many talents, died peacefully in his Brookville home in Pennsylvania on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. He was 91.

A native New Yorker from the Bronx, he was the oldest son of Greek immigrants Mary and Cleanthis Beniades, who knew at the age of 10 he wanted to be an actor.

He was married to Marion Lauer, formerly of Fryburg, Pennsylvania, also an accomplished actress and singer.

They met on Broadway in “Wonderful Town” in 1953 and were married for 55 years. Together they made a powerful pair, performing together in other musicals such as “Fiorello” and “Pajama Game” and toured the country.

They lived in Warwick for many years.

After serving in World War II, he studied acting at the prestigious Dramatic Workshop in New York with fellow students Marlon Brando, Walter Matthau, Tony Curtis, Rod Steiger and Bea Arthur.

Ted made his Broadway debut at age 29 in “Mister Roberts” with Henry Fonda. He performed in ten Broadway shows during the golden age of American musical theater, when Rodgers and Hammerstein reigned with shows such as “South Pacific,” “The King and I”, “Carousel” and ”Oklahoma.”

He is the veteran of 12 features films. He busted Al Pacino in the movie “Scarface,” got blown up in “The Next Man” with Sean Connery and served Jack Lemmon a cocktail in “The Odd Couple.”

Ted also acted in countless TV commercials and was a character actor in several TV series such as the “Jackie Gleason Show,” “Kojak,” “Eischied,” “The Andros Targets” and the original “N.Y.P.D.”

In recent years, he shared his talent by doing a voice over for the Clarion Community Theater’s production of Agatha Christie’s play “And Then There Were None” at the Sawmill Theater in Cook Forest.

Ted had two sisters, Mary and Ann, a younger brother Danny and a son, Danny.

He is loved by 13 nieces and nephews and their children. He has been living in Brookville since October 2009 and made many friends during that time.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all in the WRC community who cared for him.

Interment will be in Venus Cemetery on Nov. 1.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ( www.michaeljfox.org).

Funeral arrangements are under the case of Faller Funeral Home, Fryburg, Pa. For additional information, visit online at www.fallerfuneralhome.com.