RIP: Austin Stoker

Austin Stoker died on October 7, 2022 from renal failure.  It was his 92nd birthday.

Austin Stoker was an actor who appeared on stage, television and in feature films.  He began his career in the 1954 Broadway production of Truman Capote’s House of Flowers.  Mr. Stoker’s first television role came in 1969 on Mod Squad.  In 1973, Austin Stoker appeared in Battle for the Planet of the Apes.  For the remainder of his career, Mr. Stoker alternated between television and feature film roles.

Some of his television appearances include: Mod Squad; Love American Style; McCloud; Kojak; The Rookies; Police Story; S.W.A.T; Return to the Planet of the Apes (13 episodes); The Six Million Dollar Man; Roots; The Incredible Hulk; Lou Grant; Airwolf; Trapper John; Falcon Crest and The Bold and the Beautiful (8 episodes).

Feature film appearances include: Battle for the Planet of the Apes; Airport ’75; Sheba, Baby; Assault on Precinct 13 and 3 from Hell.

My favorite Austin Stoker appearance was in John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13.  He was perfect as Ethan Bishop, the officer assigned to oversee a deserted police station that comes under an attack by a street gang.  Mr. Stoker had a career that spanned over 50 years with nearly 60 credits on his resume.  I always enjoyed his performances.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Austin Stoker’s family, friends and fans.