Terry Carter dead at 95: Battlestar Galactica star who broke barriers as the only black

Iconic Battlestar Galactica and McCloud actor Terry Carter has died aged 95.

The star passed away ‘peacefully’ at his home in New York on Tuesday, a statement on his website read. 

‘Terry Carter best known for his roles as “Sgt. Joe Broadhurst” on the TV series McCloud and as “Colonel Tigh” on the original Battlestar Galactica died peacefully at home on April 23rd, 2024.’ 

Born to a Dominican mother and a father of Argentine and African American descent, Carter became one of the first black actors to be cast as a series regular on a TV sitcom when he landed the role of Pvt. Sugarman on “The Phil Silvers Show” in 1955.

Carter is survived by his wife Etaferhu Zenebe-DeCoste and his two children Miguel and Melina, his spouse’s daughter, a granddaughter, and numerous cousins. 

Iconic Battlestar Galactica and McCloud actor Terry Carter has died aged 95 (pictured 1978 as Colonel Tigh )

Carter pictured in 2003 

Carter appeared in a 1965 episode of the World War II series Combat!, and was the only Black actor cast as a G.I. during the show’s 152 episode run

He was married twice before – to Anna DeCoste and Beate Glatved, both of whom have already passed. 

The New York Times confirmed his death with his son, Miguel, and reported the actor passed at his Midtown Manhattan home. 

Carter’s prolific career spans decades and saw him break barriers in a number of productions. 

Carter appeared in a 1965 episode of the World War II series Combat!, and was the only Black actor cast as a G.I. during the show’s 152 episode run, according to the Times.

He also became the first-ever Black TV anchor newscaster in the world in 1965, landing the job at Boston’s WBZ-Eyewitness News. 

His other notable roles came in 1970’s ‘Company of Killers’, but he is perhaps best known by more modern audiences for portraying Colonel Tigh in ABC’s sci-fi series ‘Battlestar Galactica’ in the 1970s. 

From 1970 to 1977, he also played Sgt. Joe Broadhurst on the police drama series McCloud.

During this time, he appeared in the 1974 blaxploitation film Foxy Brown. 

Speaking with the New York Times in 2018, Carter revealed a conversation with actor Howard Da Silva convinced him to pursue an acting career.

Carter’s prolific career spans decades and saw him play Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud for seven years on McCloud

Carter also appeared in the 1974 blaxploitation film Foxy Brown; Carter pictured with Pam Grier in the film 

‘It was Howard who talked me into becoming an actor — he’s the one who changed my life,’ he said. ‘I quit law school and began studying at Howard’s acting school. I think he called it the Mobile Theater Workshop.’ 

Before he landed his role on The Phil Silvers Show, Carter’s career took him to the stage, where he appeared in a number on and Off Broadway performances featuring a Black cast, according to The Times.

In 1979, Terry formed the Council for Positive Images, a non-profit group that helps enhance intercultural and interethnic understanding through audiovisual communication.

He also directed documentary specials for PBS that focused on historical and cultural topics.

In 1980, he served two terms on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and worked with the Documentary Committee and Foreign Films Committee for the Oscars.

His awards include a Los Angeles Emmy Award for his involvement in the TV miniseries, ‘K*I*D*S’, which features multi-racial young teenagers dealing with conflicts.

In 1988, he produced and directed a TV movie on jazz icon Duke Ellington.