Terry Carter, original ‘Battlestar’ actor, 95

Actor Terry Carter, who starred in TV’s original “Battlestar Galactica” and “McCloud,” and the film “Foxy Brown,” has died.

Carter “died peacefully” at his home in New York City on Tuesday, his website announced. No cause of death was revealed. He was 95.

The website paid tribute to Carter and his trailblazing career, remembering him as “one of the first Black actors as a regular on a TV sitcom series.” The Brooklyn-born star, who began his decadeslong career amid the civil rights movement, first gained TV notoriety for his time on “The Phil Silvers Show” from 1955 to 1959.

For more than 90 episodes, Carter starred as Pvt. “Sugie” Sugarman opposite Silvers’ Sgt. Ernie Bilko. Despite a four-year tenure on the CBS sitcom, Carter’s next major television role did not arrive until NBC’s police drama “McCloud” hit the air in 1970. Carter starred as Sgt. Joe Broadhurst opposite Dennis Weaver’s daring Sam McCloud.

Adding to his network TV spotlight, Carter most notably originated the role of Col. Saul Tigh in the original “Battlestar Galactica” series, which ran from 1978 to 1979 on ABC. As Tigh, a straightforward executive officer who helped the Galactica’s operations run smoothly, Carter appeared alongside Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene, among others.

Carter’s TV credits also included “Playhouse 90,” “Mr. Belvedere,” “227” and “The Cop and the Kid.” He also graced the silver screen during his career, appearing in minor roles in films including “Parrish,” “Attraction,” “Brother on the Run,” “Foxy Brown” and “Benji.”