Noted Westport filmmaker and actor Martin West, life partner of artist Ann Chernow, died Dec. 31. He was 82.
Martin West: starred in over 30 films. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Born Martin Weixelbaum in Westhampton, New York on Aug. 28, 1937, he started his career in theater in New York, and among other credits, appeared in “The Andersonville Trial” with George C Scott (1959).
He began appearing in feature films in 1960, making his debut as the star of “Freckles.”
He starred in over 30 films including the cult classics of “Lord Love A Duck (1966)” and John Carptenter’s “Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)”
Other films include: “The Sergeant Was a Lady (1961),” Alfred Hitchcock’s “Family Plot (1976)” and “Mac and Me (1988)” along with many others.
In l966, he began a nine year role as Dr . Brewer on the celebrated soap opera, “General Hospital.”
Other feature television roles include “Perry Mason (1965),” “Gunsmoke (1966),” “Bonanza (1967) ,“ “Ironside (1970),” “Dallas (1981),” “Highway to Heaven (1985),”“Matlock (1988)”, and “LA Law (1989)”. West also directed “Great Performers” in 2008 and 2011.
He moved to Connecticut in l993 and became a member of the Theatre Artists Workshop of Westport, acting and directing in numerous productions. In 1999, he was commissioned to produce a documentary entitled “A Gathering of Glory,” about the history of the arts in Westport.
In 2010, he produced the film “Years in the Making,” a documentary about 50 Westport artists over the age of 70 who were still creating art. Accompanying the documentary, West filmed archival information about these artists and their lives, which can be accessed at the Westport Library.
From l998 he was the life partner of Ann Chernow. He is survived by three children, Jason Weixelbaum, Allie West, and Gabriel West, along with his stepson Paul Mend and his sister Gail Britt.
A memorial service will be held Saturday , Jan. 4 at 2 to 5 p.m. at the Theatre Artist Workshop. (Masonic Lodge), 5 Gregory Boulevard, Norwalk. (You can park anywhere even on the grass)
For driving and parking directions, please visit the Workshop website: https://www.taworkshop.org/
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send donations in Martin’s name to the Workshop at the link above.
