Michael Jeter.

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee—a small town tied to Davy Crockett—was where Michael Jeter was born on August 26, 1952, to dentist Dr. William Claud Jeter and housewife Virginia Raines. He grew up with one brother and four sisters.

Originally planning a medical career, Jeter enrolled at Memphis State University. He switched to acting, performing at local theatres like the Circuit Theatre and Playhouse on the Square.

Jeter made his film debut in the anti-war musical Hair 1979 as Woodrow Sheldon. He appeared in films including Ragtime 1981, The Money Pit 1986, and Tango & Cash 1989. His television role as the nerdy math teacher Herman Stiles on the sitcom Evening Shade 1990-1994 earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

On stage, Jeter won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Grand Hotel in 1990. He continued to take supporting film roles, such as a homeless cabaret singer in The Fisher King 1991, Father Ignatius in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit 1993, the inventor Old Gregor in Waterworld 1995, the alcoholic clown Norm Snively in Air Bud 1997, and the condemned prisoner Eduard Delacroix in The Green Mile 1999.

Jeter earned two additional Primetime Emmy nominations for guest roles: for Picket Fences in 1993 and Chicago Hope in 1996. In 2000, he began playing the silent mime character Mister Noodle, the brother of Mr. Noodle, on Sesame Street’s Elmo’s World segments, a role he performed until his death.

Sean Blue was Jeter’s partner from 1995 until his death. Jeter was HIV positive and revealed his status on Entertainment Tonight in 1981 to preempt tabloid exposure. His survivors included his parents, his brother William, and four sisters: Virginia, Amanda, Emily, and Larie. He died on March 30, 2003, at his home in Los Angeles from an epileptic seizure that caused asphyxiation.

Michael Jeter’s Emmy-winning performance as Herman Stiles on Evening Shade 1990-1994 and Tony-winning role in Grand Hotel 1990 demonstrated his versatility. In film, his portrayal of the condemned prisoner Eduard Delacroix in The Green Mile 1999 earned critical praise. On Sesame Street, he played Mister Noodle from 2000 until his death, a role that brought joy to children. Jeter publicly disclosed his HIV status in 1981, preempting tabloid exposure, and continued working despite health challenges.