Nicholas Cortland; Stage, TV, Movie Actor

Nicholas Cortland, a stage, film and television actor for whom Tennessee Williams wrote “This Is (An Entertainment),” died Aug. 21 at his home in New York City, it was learned this week. He was 47 and had been suffering from AIDS.

Cortland, a graduate of Hofstra University, performed lead roles with the American Conservatory Theatre of San Francisco in 1976 for its 10th anniversary. It was for one of those roles that Williams wrote the play.

Cortland was seen on the New York stage in “Honeymoon in Haiti,” “Suzanna Andler” and “Goodbye Freddy.” His film credits include “Frogs,” “The Day of the Locust” and “Bear Island.” He was seen on television locally in 1970 on the old KNXT “Repertoire Workshop” series where beginning actors were introduced.