Lee Wallace

Lee Wallace ( Born Leo Melis, July 15, 1930) died peacefully on Dec. 20,2020 after a very long illness. He Died in his "new" New York home. Lee was born in Brooklyn to Eddie Melis and Celia Gross. His Family moved to the Lower East Side early on and Lee graduated from Seward Park High School. He than attended NYU for a whole. He studied acting with Lee Strasberg, and Canada Lee and then went into the U.S. Army. When he was discharged he found his mentor, Michael Howard, studied with him for seven years, and became a "working actor". Lee did many years in the regional theatre and at his first love, Broadway. He appeared in "Zalman or the Madness of God", "Grind", "Some of My Best Friends" and others. Off Broadway he was in many commercials and films ("Batman", "Taking of Pelham 1-2-3", "Private Benjamin".) He was married to actress Marilyn Chris for 45 years. He leaves her behind, along with his cherished son Paul and his family in Northern California. Burial will be at Sharon Gardens Cemtery in Valhalla, New York and is for immediate family only.