Simm Landres(1936-2016)

Simm Landres was an actor, director, playwright, teacher, and poet. He was all this and so much more: a caring, life-changing mentor; an attentive, warm, and loyal friend and family member; a deep thinker with a strong, loving, ethical impulse. The library was his office. The Mets were his team. Music moved him to tears. Who can forget his humor, which could be sly, disarming, humble, flirtatious, or bitingly critical? A native New Yorker, Simm was raised by Arnold Landres and the Vaudeville actress Zelda Santley, parents who loved the arts and fiercely believed in social justice. Simm studied acting with Stella Adler and received a Master's in Theater and a Bachelor's in English. He directed plays throughout the country and appeared in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, summer stock, television spots, and popular films. Simm's poetry was widely published and a number of his plays made it to the stage. But to Simm, his greatest accomplishment was being a father