Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
Douglas Coler, of Matthews, NC. Aged 63, succumbed to complications of Pancreatic cancer on Saturday, August 19, 2023.. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1960. Douglas Coler was an actor, writer, director, and museum educator. He performed in regional theatre, television, film, and as a radio voice artist.
He was a founding member and company manager of the award-winning Actors’ Art Theatre in Los Angeles, and was Associate Director for the national touring company Chamber Theatre Productions, and has served as Guest Director at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. He had just completed his second term as President of IMTAL (The International Museum Theatre Alliance). He was Manager of Shows and Floor Programming, at Discovery Place Science in Charlotte,
NC from 2008-2020. In this capacity, he oversaw the InterActors and the writing and production of all theatrical programming as well as on-floor interactive demonstrations, and support programming for traveling exhibitions. He also portrayed numerous historical characters including the pirate Calico Jack Rackham, Vincent Van Gogh, and Leonardo da
Vinci.
He was Discovery Place’s representative with The National Informal Science Education Network, and served as Chair of the American Alliance of Museums Council of Affiliates.
He leaves his loving family, his former wife Jo St. James, and his daughters, Hillary (James Howe and their children, Killian, Ivy, and Lettie) of Birmingham, AL; Maia Albrecht (Alek and their children Rosalie and Everett), of San Antonio, TX; his brother Charles Coler and sister Cari Branden of Cincinnati, OH; and a global extended family, both biological and metaphorical.
He wishes to thank the dedicated team at Levine Cancer Institute and the extraordinary Via Health Partners Hospice Care.
Over the span of his 45 year theatrical career, Douglas has performed in theatre, TV, radio, and film with actors as varied as Soupy Sales, Martin Sheen, Talia Shire, Woody Harrelson, Dick Van Dyke, and Orson Welles. He is perhaps best remembered as Dr. Picard in the long running serial, Days of Our Lives.
Douglas was a member of Actor’s Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. He was a member of Algonquin Productions, Sun Dog Theatre, The Foolish Theatre, and Theatre Resources Unlimited in New York and The Santa Paula Theatre Center, FirstStage, and Actors’ Art Theatre in California. Douglas interned at the Cincinnati Playhouse-in-the-Park, and is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts/West.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to any of the following: Doctors Without Borders, The HBCU Foundation, a pair of season tickets to a local theatre company, a museum/aquarium/zoo membership.
Carolina Cremation of Charlotte and Salisbury is assisting the Coler family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Kendal says
Mr. Douglas is a big part of how I ended up where I am today. I was an intern at Discovery Place under his AMAZING leadership, and now I work full time in a children’s science museum due to his influence and the great experiences I had under him. He also helped me get into my dream school and the honors program by writing a wonderful letter of recommendation for me. He was just the best, and he will be missed terribly. Much love to his family.
Dolores Chavez says
I am sorry for your loss. Today, Doug’s name popped up in my mind. We were colleagues many years ago when we worked together at the Variety Arts Center in LA. He generously gifted me an old camera that belonged to his grandfather (?) to support my interest in photography at the time.
I would like to offer it back to the family if there is interest in having it returned. You can contact me at artisvida@gmail.com Many blessings Dolores Chavez