Director Peter Kass dies at 85

Helmer known for work on Odets' 'Country Girl'

By VARIETY STAFF

Director Peter Kass, whom Clifford Odets handpicked to helm the first production of the playwright's "The Country Girl" when it tried out in New Hampshire, died Monday in New York City. He was 85.

New York native and WWII vet subsequently assisted Odets when the latter directed the 1950 Broadway version, with Kass also co-starring in the play.

Self-taught (he was only about 25 when Odets tapped him for the initial helming), he later directed the Broadway revival of Odets' "Night Music."

Other Broadway directing credits include Lorraine Hansberry's "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" (1964), starring Rita Moreno, and two short-lived productions, "Postmark Zero" and "Nathan Weinstein, Mystic, Connecticut."

Among his Off Broadway directing credits is "Side Street Scenes," penned by his writer-director son, Sam Henry Kass, a "Seinfeld" writer.

Peter Kass also won two Clios for his direction of television commercials. His film "Time of the Heathen" won grand prize in the Bergamo Film Festival.

He was a master-acting teacher 1956-60 at Boston U. (where Olympia Dukakis and Faye Dunaway were among his students) and held the same position at the NYU School of the Arts 1965-82.

Besides Sam, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nance Robbins; son Robbie, a talent manager; and five grandchildren (including talent publicist Alana Kass).

Services are pending.