Gerold Walters' Photographs Captured Many Celebrities

Gerold "Jerry" Walters' card should have read, "Have camera, will travel."

Whether it was a news conference for The Beatles or a party for a Hollywood star's daughter, Mr. Walters found a way to get in.

"He hated to miss out on anything exciting," said his daughter, Julie Wald of Seattle. He'd often be there with his faked Life magazine pass, too.

Son of portrait photographer Samuel "Sasha" Walters, Mr. Walters, who died Aug. 25 at age 75, inherited his Russian-immigrant father's photo studio as well as his love of people and adventure.

Both felt compelled to capture the candid side of the famous and the not-so-famous; the elder Walters shot what President Franklin Roosevelt reportedly called his favorite portrait, made in the Walters' family studio in Seattle in 1932.

Father and son also did a thriving business in wedding photography.

"My dad was born in Winnipeg." Julie Wald said. "But he lived here most of his life. He did photography as a boy, graduated from Garfield (High School), went to the UW and took over when his father died."

His son, Steve Walters, of Seattle has happy childhood memories.

"My dad loved to entertain and meet celebrities like Bill Dana, Sammy Davis Jr., Steve Allen.

"Bill Dana was over at our house for brunch one time. We had a party for Liberace and Victor Borge, about the time of the (Seattle) world's fair."

Steve Walters expanded on the story of the fake ID.

"My dad had a phony Life magazine pass, so he would get into things he wasn't supposed to. When The Beatles were in town, he got into the press conference, shot photos and sold them out of his studio. People were lined up around the block to buy them.

"Then about 1950 my mom and dad were in Los Angeles and crashed this wedding reception for Jack Benny's daughter. It was the social event of the year."

Mr. Walters sold his studio in the mid-1970s and moved with his wife to Hawaii, where he took photographs out of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

The couple returned to Seattle a few years later. Mr. Walters still shot weddings but mainly did specialty advertising.

A longtime friend, Stanley Tipp, recalled that in Honolulu, Mr. Walters indulged his love of drama. The photographer appeared as the Russian-Jewish father in a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" and had roles in other plays. In Seattle, he did comedy skits for the Exchange Club, a businessmen's club.

"Jerry was unusual," said Tipp. "He had a great sense of humor, and his spirit and attitude were very positive. I'll miss the guy."

Other survivors include Mr. Walters' wife, Marylou; son-in-law, Lou Wald; and grandchildren, Mackenzie Walters, Lisa Johnson, and Aaron and Jessica Wald, all of Seattle.

A service has been held. Remembrances may be sent to the Kline Galland Home, 7500 Seward Park Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118, or to Temple de Hirsch Sinai, 1511 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122.