Peter-Henry Schroeder, the veteran character actor best known for portraying the Klingon Chancellor in “Star Trek: Enterprise,” died peacefully on June 7 at Lake City VA Medical Center in Florida. He was 90 years old.
Schroeder passed away surrounded by his family, with his cause of death remaining undisclosed. In his final days at the medical facility, he reportedly maintained his passion for acting, frequently asking staff about returning to Los Angeles to resume work.
Born on January 2, 1935, in Syracuse, New York, Schroeder lived a remarkably diverse life that spanned military service, entertainment, and education. He served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War, where he was assigned to a unit that participated in USO shows and witnessed Marilyn Monroe perform for the troops.
After returning from military service, Schroeder pursued acting studies with Paula Strasberg and received private instruction at Carnegie Hall alongside future stars Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. His connection to Monroe extended beyond their wartime encounter, as he later recorded a tribute song titled “Memories of Marilyn” in 1964, exactly 10 years after seeing her perform in Korea.
Schroeder’s entertainment career began as a recording artist for Capitol Records and Ascot, releasing singles including “Where’s the Girl for Me” in 1960. He made his acting debut in 1979’s “The Seduction of Joe Tynan,” starring alongside Meryl Streep and Alan Alda. His film and television credits included roles in “Fire in the Night,” “Hotshot,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” and “Hider in the House.”
Television appearances showcased his versatility, with roles in “B.J. and the Bear,” “Thirtysomething,” and a memorable appearance as a maître d’ in a 1989 episode of “Cheers.” His most recognizable role came in 2001 when he portrayed the Klingon Chancellor in the two-part series premiere of “Star Trek: Enterprise.” The series, which served as a prequel to the original “Star Trek” series, ran for four seasons from 2001 to 2005.
Later in his career, Schroeder appeared in Ben Affleck’s Academy Award-winning political thriller “Argo” in 2012, playing a producer role. His final screen appearance came in 2020’s political satire “Sammy-Gate,” where he portrayed Santo Trafficante in a fictional story about Sammy Davis Jr. causing the Watergate scandal.
Beyond acting, Schroeder established himself as an educator and mentor in the entertainment industry. He founded his own production company, PHS Productions, and served as a guest teacher at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 1979, he established the Actor/Artist Group Workshop, where he trained and mentored hundreds of aspiring actors throughout his career.
His theatrical work included producing and starring in an award-winning production of Thomas Babe’s “A Prayer for My Daughter,” which ran seven nights a week for nine months in 1978 at the Richmond Shepard Studio Theatre in Hollywood. According to his memorial page, Schroeder was described as a masterful character actor whose creativity, passion, and dedication enriched the lives of those he touched.
Schroeder’s charismatic presence often led to cases of mistaken identity with actor Jack Nicholson, something his family affectionately referred to as “Jack Attacks.”
His memorial page quoted him as once saying, “I had a long and rich life, and I thank God for it.”
Schroeder is survived by his daughter Valerie Lynn Schroeder, his son Peter Henry Schroeder II, his daughter-in-law Felicia Cristiani Bass, and his grandsons Peter Henry Schroeder III and Jarrid Michael Schroeder. He is also survived by his siblings Carl Schroeder and Maria Curley, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that condolences be shared through the Human Animal Life Foundation. Star Trek fans and colleagues have begun paying tribute to the actor, with the fan community acknowledging his contribution to the beloved science fiction franchise.
