Movies

Michael Jeter (/ˈdʒiːtər/; August 26, 1952 – March 30, 2003) was an American actor and comedian. His television roles included Herman Stiles on the sitcom Evening Shade from 1990 until 1994 and Mr. Noodle's brother, Mr. Noodle, on the Elmo's World segments of Sesame Street from 2000 until 2003. Jeter's film roles include Zelig, Tango & Cash, The Fisher King, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Waterworld, Air Bud, Mouse Hunt, Patch Adams, The Green Mile, Jurassic Park III, Welcome to Collinwood, Open Range, and The Polar Express.

Jeter was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He studied at Memphis State University and later pursued a career in acting. Jeter was known for his eccentric, pretentious, and wimpy characters, but occasionally played diverse roles in films like Jurassic Park III and Air Bud. He is best known for his role in The Green Mile, which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Jeter also appeared on Sesame Street as Mister Noodle from 2000 to 2003.

Throughout his career, Jeter won a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and received several other accolades. He was openly gay and had been in a relationship with Sean Blue since 1995. Jeter was HIV positive but remained healthy for many years. He died from complications after an epileptic seizure.

Early life
Jeter was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee on August 26, 1952. His mother, Virginia (née Raines; May 6, 1927 – May 21, 2019), was a housewife. His father, William Claud Jeter (March 10, 1922 – March 1, 2010), was a dentist. Jeter had one brother, William, and four sisters, Virginia, Amanda, Emily, and Lori. Jeter was a student at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) when his interests changed from medicine to acting. He performed in several plays and musicals at the Circuit Theatre and its sister theatre, the Playhouse on the Square, in midtown Memphis. He left Memphis to further pursue his stage career in Baltimore, Maryland.