Steven Keats, a multi-talented and accomplished film, stage, and television actor, was born on February 6, 1945, in The Bronx, New York City, to a Danish-born father from Copenhagen and an NY-born mother of Polish Jewish descent.
He grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, and graduated from the High School for Performing Arts in Manhattan.
Keats served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1966.
After his tour of duty, he returned to the United States and attended both the Yale School of Drama and Montclair State College.
He made his Broadway stage debut in 1970 as part of the second cast for "Oh! Calcutta."
Some of his most memorable movie roles include spaced-out punk hood Jackie Brown in "The Friends of Eddie Coyle," Charles Bronson's son-in-law Jack Toby in "Death Wish," Carol Kane's Americanized Jewish immigrant husband Jake Putkovsky in "Hester Street," Robert Shaw's Israeli sidekick Moshevsky in "Black Sunday," and obsessive mad scientist Dr. Philip Spires in "Silent Rage."
He was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for his exceptional portrayal of ruthless Depression-era rag trade tycoon Jay Blackman in the mini-series "Seventh Avenue."
Among the many shows Keats made guest appearances on are "Kojak," "The Streets of San Francisco," "The Rockford Files," "Starsky and Hutch," "Barnaby Jones," "Cagney & Lacey," "The Love Boat," "The A-Team," "Hunter," "T.J. Hooker," "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "Matlock," and "MacGyver."
He also played Thomas Edison on an episode of "Voyagers!".
Keats was the father of sons Shane and Thatcher.
Sadly, Steven was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on May 8, 1994, at the age of 49, with the cause of death ruled an apparent suicide.
