It was an evening of tears, smiles and even laughter as the acting community recalled the humanity and astonishing talent of Martin Landau whose much honored career and life ended with his recent death at the age of 89.

Hosted by Turner Classic Movies Ben Mankiewizc, the evenings eulogies, filled with wonder at the talent which established Marty (as all knew him) as a consummate actors actor, were delivered among others by Paul Sorvino, Diane Ladd and John Voight who said he had not known or worked with Landau but was there as an admirer of a master, and as I absorbed the recall of his humanity this evening, I felt compelled to speak about a man I had never met except through his art but had moved me so deeply. Landaus daughter Susan Landau Finch, who organized the tribute, described how Landaus empathy, which filled his art, also pervaded his rich love for his family. She delivered the comment of her mother, Landaus former wife and Mission Impossible co-star, Barbra Bain (who attended) if they had analyzed his DNA, it would have said actor.

No one more deserved the title An Actors Actor, and he carried forward his great understanding and passion for his craft as a head of the Actors Studio West, teacher to such actors as Jack Nicholson and the hundreds of fine actors who honed their skills under his guidance.

Landau, a three-time Academy Award nominee who won the honor for his performance as Bela Lugosi in Tim Burtons Ed Wood, had directed the Actors Studio West since its founding with the late Sidney Pollack and Mark Rydell who was among the attendees. Filmed tributes shown includes those of Al Pacino, Ellen Burstyn and Woody Allen. Numerous ASW staff, students and members join in the tribute.