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Walter Kattwinkel
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Born in Paterson, NJ on Dec. 20, 1913
Passed away on Jan. 19, 2012 and resided in Clifton, NJ.
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Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012
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| Service: |
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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Walter Kattwinkel (stage name Kelvin) 98, of Clifton, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2012 after a short illness. Visitation will be held at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue on Tuesday, January 24 from 4-8 p.m. with a funeral service commencing at 6:45 p.m., Reverend Edward Clydesdale officiating.
Mr. Kattwinkel was a Singer, Actor and Business Representative. For The Actors' Equity Association in NYC. Born in Paterson NJ in 1913, He spent the early years of his life working in the family business, the Silk Mills of Paterson NJ. He also developed during his teen years, a passion for song and he began to sing with the Paterson Saengerbund. A German male chorus that his father was a founding member of. He later joined the Rheinischer Saengerbund of NY and has been active with them as well as Paterson and several other chorus groups up until his death. A lifetime association that, in November 2010, earned him a commendation for 80 years of dedication and service to the German choral community.
Through his 20's Walter continued to work and sing until at age 28 he was drafted into the Army to serve his country during WW2. During this time his incredible Bass voice got him noticed and he was called on to entertain the troops. This earned him a spot on the "Major Bowes Amateur Hour" hosted by Ted Mack. This was one of the earliest versions of "Star Search" or "American Idol" and it got him noticed!
After his separation from the army in March of '46, Walter returned to the silk mills of Paterson, all the while singing part time at any engagements he could find. After hearing from person after person "you should be on Broadway with a voice like that" he finally decided to give it a try. At the suggestion of his friend, Feodore Tedick he went to an addition in NYC and the rest is history. He called his dad at the silk mill and told him he was taking a job in NYC. His weekly pay went from 20.00 per week working in the factory to 40.00 a week working on stage. His first show on Broadway was "If the Shoe Fits". It opened December 5, 1946. He appeared as Walter Kattwinkel in this show but then decided to simplify his last name so that the producers may better remember it. He chose Kelvin and was credited as "Walter Kelvin" for all the other shows he did, save one, his last. They included the following: Allegro 1947, Brigedoon 1950, Two on the Aisle 1951 My Darlin' Aida 1952, Wonderful Town 1953, Silk Stockings 1955, The Most Happy Fella 1956, and the show he met his future wife Mary-Alice Wunderle in, the national company of The Music Man 1958. His last show on Broadway was The Student Gypsy in 1963. Since he was just recently married, he and his wife decided to go back to his original name so he was once again and finally, Walter Kattwinkel.
As the run of "The Student Gypsy" was coming to a close, Walter got a call from an old friend, Ben Irving at The Actors' Equity Association. Because of his stage manager experience and extensive knowledge of chorus, Ben asked Walter if he would consider coming to work on staff as a Business Representative. Walter accepted and began a nearly 25 year career in what he so many times referred to as "his dream job", working for Actors' Equity Association. Around this time Walter also picked up some TV work, appearing regularly on "The Defenders" with Robert Reed and EG Marshall, in a show called "The Nurses", on CBS and a guest appearance as Dory Sherry in an episode of "The Patty Duke Show" called "The Actress". In 1963 and 1966 his two sons, Alex and Steven were born. He was grateful to have a steady job that kept him close to what he loved! Walter officially retired from "Equity" in the mid 1980's but got called back for a short time a few years later. At the same time he dusted off his SAG card and got some "extra" work in a few movies in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Movies such as Ghostbusters II, Green Card, Regarding Henry, The Bonfire of the Vanities and with the most screen time, Awakenings. Once Walter fully retired, he and Mary-Alice continued to enjoy life with family, friends, travel, theater, concerts, both performing and attending. Finally, he enjoyed the two most important young ladies in his life second only to Mary-Alice, his dear Kassidy and Lindsay!
As a side note from his sons, Alex and Steven, we were both told so many times over the years by so many people, "your dad is one of the nicest guys in show business". And one of the proudest memories Alex has is when, many years ago he was out to dinner with his dad at Sardi's. "I was having dinner with Dad at Sardi's in NYC. We were talking with Leonard Bernstein, they were long time friends, dad and Mr. B. They first worked together in Wonderful Town. He turned to me and said "Alex, your dad has the best Bass voice I have ever heard, you should be proud" and believe me, I WAS, coming from someone of Mr. Bernstein place in the music world, I never forgot that compliment....."
Walter Kattwinkel, our father, our grandfather was truly...Our American Treasure!
If desired, a donation may be made in his memory to the Actors' Fund of America, 729 Seventh Avenue, NY, NY 10019.
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