Peter-Henry Schroeder, the veteran character actor best known for portraying the Klingon Chancellor in “Star Trek: Enterprise,” died peacefully on June 7, 2025, at Lake City VA Medical Center in Florida. He was 90 years old.
Schroeder passed away surrounded by his family, according to an online memorial page. The cause of his death has not been released. In his final days at the medical facility, he repeatedly asked staff about returning to work, stating “When are you going to get me out of here, I’ve got to get back to LA.”
Born on January 2, 1935, in Syracuse, New York, Schroeder lived in Los Angeles for 60 years. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving from 1953 to 1955. During his military service, he was assigned to a unit that participated in a USO show and witnessed Marilyn Monroe perform for the troops, an experience that would later influence his artistic career.
After returning from service, Schroeder pursued acting and studied with Paula Strasberg at Carnegie Hall alongside future stars Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. He made his acting debut in 1979’s “The Seduction of Joe Tynan,” appearing alongside Meryl Streep and Alan Alda.
Throughout his career, Schroeder appeared in numerous films and television shows, including “Fire in the Night,” “Hotshot,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” and “Hider in the House.” He also had television roles in “B.J. and the Bear” and “Thirtysomething,” and played a maître d’ in a 1989 episode of “Cheers.”
In 2001, Schroeder portrayed the Klingon Chancellor in a two-episode arc during the series premiere of “Star Trek: Enterprise.” The prequel series, which starred Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, and Dominic Keating, aired from 2001 to 2005 and ran for four seasons.
Later in his career, Schroeder appeared in Ben Affleck’s 2012 Oscar-winning political espionage film “Argo,” where he played a producer. His final screen role came in 2020’s political satire “Sammy-Gate,” in which he portrayed Santo Trafficante.
Beyond acting, Schroeder was a recording artist for Capital Records and Ascot, releasing singles including “Where’s the Girl for Me” in 1960 and “Memories of Marilyn” in 1964. The latter song was recorded 10 years after he witnessed Monroe’s USO performance in Korea.
Schroeder also established himself as an industry mentor and educator. He formed his own production company, PHS Productions, served as a guest teacher at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and founded the Actor/Artist Group Workshop in 1979, where he trained and mentored hundreds of actors throughout his career.
In theater, Schroeder produced and starred in an award-winning production of Thomas Babe’s “A Prayer for My Daughter,” which ran seven nights a week for nine months in 1978 at the Richmond Shepard Studio Theatre in Hollywood.
According to his obituary, Schroeder was described as a quintessential Hollywood figure whose charisma often led to cases of mistaken identity with Jack Nicholson, incidents his grandsons affectionately called “Jack Attacks.”
Schroeder’s memorial page described him as a masterful character actor who, through his creativity, passion, and dedication, led a remarkable life and career that enriched the lives of those he touched. He was quoted as reflecting on his life, expressing gratitude for having had a long and rich life.
He will be buried at the Los Angeles National Cemetery with full military honors. The ceremony will be held at a future date to be announced. The family has requested that instead of flowers, condolences be shared through the Human Animal Life Foundation.
Schroeder is survived by his daughter Valerie Lynn Schroeder, his son Peter Henry Schroeder II, his daughter-in-law Felicia Cristiani Bass, and his grandsons Peter Henry Schroeder III and Jarrid Michael Schroeder.
