Erland van Lidth de Jeude (June 3, 1953 – September 23, 1987) was a Dutch-born American actor who appeared in several Hollywood films, as well as being a wrestler, singing as an operatic bass-baritone, and studying computer science at MIT.

Biography

Van Lidth de Jeude was born in Hilversum, the Netherlands, and came to the United States with his family in 1958, where they resided in Orange, New Jersey (until 1960), then Stamford, Connecticut (1960–1962), Ridgefield, Connecticut (1962–1970), and Mont Vernon, New Hampshire (1970–1973). In addition to studying computer science at MIT (graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering in 1977), he also distinguished himself on the wrestling team and in stage productions, the most successful of which was A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, in which he played Miles Gloriosus. After graduation he worked in Manhattan as a computer professional, while also attending the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal as an alternate in the heavyweight wrestling team. His preparation for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow was cut short when the United States boycotted the event. He also won the Bronze Medal in the international competition held in Tehran in 1978.

The 6'6" (198 cm), 340-pound (154 kg) wrestler was spotted in the New York Athletic Club by a casting director, which led to his role as the fearsome "Terror", leader of the Fordham Baldies, in the 1979 Philip Kaufman film The Wanderers. He continued to juggle his careers in film and information technology while also singing frequently with the Amato Opera in New York, studying to become a Heldenbaritone, and teaching computer programming at Manhattan Community College. He is perhaps best known for his role as Grossberger in Stir Crazy with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, which was released in December 1980 and has been regularly shown on TV over the years. Erland was also featured in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film The Running Man, which was his last film appearance. He played "Dynamo", a sadistic "stalker" who is known for electrocuting his victims. In his films, Erland also got the chance to use his operatic experience. Also, he once turned down a film role because he did not want to shave his head (again), as he did for The Wanderers and Stir Crazy.