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Tim Choate

Timothy Clark Choate (October 11, 1954 – September 24, 2004) was an American actor recognized for his work in theater, film, and television. Born in Dallas, Texas, he graduated from Justin F. Kimball High School and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977 before briefly attending Cornell University's graduate school. Choate began his acting career in the late 1970s, making his film debut in The Europeans (1979) directed by James Ivory. He gained prominence on stage with Broadway appearances, including a role in Beth Henley's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Crimes of the Heart in the early 1980s, and later performances at venues like South Coast Repertory and Shakespeare Festival LA. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Choate built a diverse screen career, appearing in films such as Blow Out (1981), Soapdish (1991) with Sally Field and Kevin Kline, Jefferson in Paris (1995), and Pearl Harbor (2001). On television, he featured in guest and recurring roles across popular series, including Newhart, Murder, She Wrote, Coach, Frasier, and Diagnosis Murder. His most notable television role was as the quirky alien Zathras in the science fiction epic Babylon 5, where he appeared in multiple episodes between 1994 and 1997, delivering the character's distinctive, fragmented speech patterns. At the time of his death, Choate was rehearsing for a production of Macbett at the Globe Playhouse in West Hollywood. He died in Los Angeles from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on September 24, 2004, at the age of 49; the accident occurred when a van failed to yield at an intersection.

Early life and education

Early life

Tim Choate was born Timothy Clark Choate on October 11, 1954, in , . He was the son of Ben Tom Choate and Betty Nell Choate (née Strong). His mother worked as a commercial artist for the and , as well as for companies including Pollock Paper Company and Zales. Choate grew up in Dallas, attending and graduating from Justin F. Kimball High School in 1973. During his high school years, he began developing an interest in , influenced by the city's vibrant local theater scene and his mother's artistic background. This foundation led him to pursue further training at the .

Education

Tim Choate earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. During his studies, he participated in university theater productions, gaining hands-on experience that contributed to his solid foundation in stagecraft. His academic training at the University of Texas focused primarily on theatrical performance rather than screen acting, aligning with his self-assessment as a performer more suited to the stage. After graduating, Choate briefly attended Cornell University's graduate school before departing to pursue professional acting opportunities in .

Acting career

Theater work

After completing his education, Tim Choate relocated to to establish a career in professional theater. Choate's Broadway involvement began with the 1978 production of Da, where he served as an and later replaced the actor playing Young Charlie during its run through 1980. He followed this with a prominent role as the replacement Barnette Lloyd in Beth Henley's , a play that premiered in 1981 and won the that year as well as the . During his tenure from February to May 1982, Choate performed in approximately 120 shows as part of the production's extended run of 535 total performances. In addition to his New York stage work, Choate maintained an active presence in regional theater, particularly later in his career with the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival. There, he took on roles in Shakespearean productions, including in Twelfth Night during its 2004 staging at Pershing Square and a part in the 2003 adaptation of , which reimagined the comedy in a 1950s sitcom style. Choate regarded himself as particularly well-suited to the stage rather than screen acting, a perspective shaped by his foundational training in theater during his university years. This emphasis on live performance underscored much of his professional identity, even as opportunities in film and television emerged.

Film roles

Tim Choate's film career encompassed 13 credits from 1979 to 2002, where he primarily took on roles that allowed him to explore complex supporting figures rather than pursuing leading parts. This approach aligned with his self-assessed strengths in theater, where he felt more comfortable delivering layered performances. Choate made his film debut in the Merchant Ivory production (1979), directed by , portraying Clifford, a naive young brother navigating social intricacies in 19th-century . The period drama, adapted from Henry James's novel, marked his entry into cinema through the acclaimed independent production house. His breakthrough screen role arrived in Brian De Palma's suspense thriller (1981), where he played a supporting Sailor involved in the film's tense conspiracy plot. Starring as a sound engineer uncovering a political , the film highlighted Choate's ability to contribute to high-stakes ensemble dynamics. In the ensemble comedy (1991), directed by Michael Hoffman, Choate appeared as Elliott, a minor but memorable character in the satirical take on soap opera production starring as a fading star. The film, which also featured and , showcased his comedic timing in a lighthearted Hollywood farce. Choate reunited with Merchant Ivory for (1995), another James Ivory-directed , in which he portrayed Mr. Mason, a supporting figure amid the story of Thomas Jefferson's European years. led the cast in this exploration of diplomacy and personal scandal. One of his later film appearances was as a Navy Doctor—a naval officer tending to the wounded—in Michael Bay's blockbuster Pearl Harbor (2001), a romantic war epic starring Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale. The role underscored his continued work in large-scale productions depicting American history.

Television appearances

Tim Choate's television career spanned over two decades, from the early to the early 2000s, during which he amassed more than 20 credits across a of genres, showcasing his versatility in comedies, sci-fi, and procedural dramas. One of his most notable recurring roles was in the 1980s sitcom , where he appeared as a in multiple episodes, contributing to the show's ensemble dynamic. In science fiction, Choate gained a for his portrayal of Zathras in the series (1993–1998), appearing in three episodes—"Babylon Squared," "War Without End, Part 1," and "War Without End, Part 2"—delivering the character with a distinctive gravelly voice and elaborate makeup that highlighted the alien technician's quirky personality. Choate also made guest appearances in the 1980s revival of , playing roles that fit the procedural format of the crime drama. His work extended to mystery series like , where he appeared in 1990s episodes, including "Night Fears" (1991) as Luke Phillips and "Mr. Penroy's Vacation" (1988) as Daryl Croft. In the late 1990s and early , he guest-starred in legal drama as attorney Miles in the episode "The Return of Joey Heric" (2002), adding depth to the show's courtroom narratives. Earlier in his TV career, Choate featured in the inspirational series (1984–1989), notably in the 1989 episode "The Inner Limits" as , a character grappling with family responsibilities.

Personal life and death

Family and personal interests

Tim Choate was married to Madalyn Rofer Choate. The couple had one son, Flynn Choate, named in homage to actor , whom Choate admired since childhood. At the time of his death, he was survived by Madalyn, Flynn, his parents Ben and Betty Choate, his sister Belinda Choate Bunch, and brother-in-law Clinton Bunch.

Death

Tim Choate died on September 24, 2004, at the age of 49, from injuries sustained in a accident in , . The accident occurred when a van failed to yield at an intersection while he was riding his en route to a for the play Macbett at the Globe Playhouse in West Hollywood. Funeral services were held on October 2, 2004, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in . A memorial service followed on October 11 at the Egyptian Theater in , where donations were directed to the Tim Choate Memorial Family Fund.

References

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    Timothy Choate Obituary (2004) - Dallas, TX
    Oct 8, 2004 · CHOATE, TIMOTHY CLARK, of Los Angeles, Ca., born Oct. 11, 1954 in Dallas. Died Sept.24, 2004 in L.A. A graduate of Kimball H.S. and U.T. Austin, ...
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    Tim Choate, 49; Actor Performed in Stage, Film and TV Roles
    Oct 2, 2004 · Actor Tim Choate, 49, who appeared frequently on stage and in film and television roles, died Sept. 24 in Los Angeles of injuries suffered in a motorcycle ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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    Tim Choate - Biography - IMDb
    **Tim Choate Biography Summary:**
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    Betty Nell Strong Choate (1926-2015) - Find a Grave Memorial
    Betty worked at both the Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Times Herald as a commercial artist. Other jobs included artist for Pollock Paper Company, Zales ...
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    Betty Choate Obituary - Dallas, TX - Dignity Memorial
    Jul 21, 2015 · Betty Nell Strong Choate, 89 years, was born on March 26, 1926 to Melvin Lane Strong and Ruby Manilla Clark Strong, in their family home in ...
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    Back story: Cliffites in Hollywood, continued - Oak Cliff Advocate
    Jul 24, 2013 · Another actor from the Cliff, Tim Choate, graduated from Kimball in '73, a few years after Moreno. A University of Texas graduate as well, ...
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    Tim Choate - Variety
    Sep 29, 2004 · He was 49. Raised in Dallas, he appeared in theater productions while attending the U. of Texas in Austin and also attended Cornell University.Missing: birth | Show results with:birth<|control11|><|separator|>
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    Tim Choate, gender male, born Oct 11, 1954 Dallas, Texas, USA, died Sep 24, 2004 Los Angeles, California, USA, performer.Missing: career | Show results with:career
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    Da (Original, Play, Comedy, Broadway) opened in New York City May 1, 1978 and played through Jan 1, 1980.
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    Crimes of the Heart – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB
    Performances. 535. PlayOriginalBroadway. Open Date: Nov 04, 1981. Close Date: Feb ... Tim Choate. Barnette Lloyd. Feb 02, 1982 - May 16, 1982. Peter MacNicol.
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    Tim Choate(1954-2004) ... Dallas-born Tim Choate considered himself better qualified as a theatrical performer than as a screen actor. The University of Texas ...
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    Tims Biography - Angelfire
    Tim Choate was born in Texas. After graduating from UT in Austin, he briefly attended Cornell University as a Masters Student, and then moved to New York.
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    'Twelfth Night' hits the beach -- Venice, that is - Los Angeles Times
    Jul 21, 2004 · As the more or less deserving victim of one such scheme, Olivia's officious steward Malvolio, Tim Choate plays his scenes like a virtuoso; he ...
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    'Wives' a good fit as '50s farce - Los Angeles Times
    Jul 14, 2003 · William Shakespeare and TV-land collide at Pershing Square in “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” This open-air Shakespeare Festival ... (Tim Choate), ...
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    Tim Choate: Zathras Speaks! - The Little Review
    A veteran performer with more than twenty feature film credits, Chaote laughs that he doesn't have to believe he's an alien to play one.Missing: York | Show results with:York
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    Tim Choate (Creator) - TV Tropes
    Tim Choate (October 11, 1954-September 24, 2004) was an American actor best known for Pearl Harbor, Babylon 5, and Blow Out. He was married to Madalyne Choate ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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    Tim Choate (1954-2004) - Find a Grave Memorial
    Actor. Born Timothy Clark Choate in Dallas, Texas, he earned BA in fine arts at the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. He made his film debut in "The ...
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    Babylon 5 (TV Series 1993–1998) - Tim Choate as Zathras - IMDb
    Zathras: Zathras is used to being beast of burden to other people's needs. Very sad life... probably have very sad death, but at least there is symmetry.
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    Tim Choate Movies and TV Shows - Plex
    Actor · 56 credits ; 1994. The George Carlin Show (TV Series) · as Pharmacist ; 1993. Diagnosis Murder (TV Series) · as Evan Houston ; 1993. Frasier (TV Series) · ...
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    "Murder, She Wrote" Night Fears (TV Episode 1991) - IMDb
    Rating 7.5/10 (383) Luke Phillips (Tim Choate), another among her students, approaches Jessica ... Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing ...Full cast & crew · Plot · Unauthorized Obituary · User reviews
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    Birth Name:Tim Choate. Birth Place:Dallas, Texas, United States. Profession Actor. Actor. 57 Credits. American Dreams. Cold Case as Charlie Winters.Missing: early | Show results with:early
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    "Highway to Heaven" The Inner Limits (TV Episode 1989) - IMDb
    Rating 8.2/10 (105) In this case though, Tim Choate was not handicapped. Tragically though, he would die fifteen years later in a motorcycle accident at the age of 49.Full cast & crew · Plot · Lorie Griffin as Jessica · Filming & production
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    Highway to Heaven: Season 5, Episode 11 | Rotten Tomatoes
    After years of taking care of a disabled brother, a man yearns to start a life for himself. With Michael Landon and Victor French.