Elliot Cuker, Raconteur to Water Mill & the World, Dies at 81

Elliot Cuker, Renaissance man of the arts, West Village institution, and the visionary behind Cooper Classics, died peacefully on August 9, embraced by the love of family and friends. He was 81.

Born in Kazakhstan, October 30, 1943, amid the turbulence of wartime migrations, the son of Berta (Dicker) of Leningrad, and Harry Cuker of Stolbunov, Ukraine, Cuker’s early years shaped his indomitable spirit. Fleeing the Nazi advance, his family trekked to Bavaria, where in a U.S.-administered displaced-persons camp, they rebuilt community through schools, councils, and camaraderie. From that crucible, Cuker’s endearing devotion to America took root.

In 1949, the Cuker family arrived at Ellis Island, where young Elliot’s first glimpse of freedom was the Statue of Liberty, a memory that stayed with him forever. Settling in Brookline, Massachusetts, he sought education and freedom. In a precursor of what was to be, 16-year-old Cuker traded in a small, used Vespa for a Nash Rambler (and $50). Because he was underage to make such a transaction, his father forced him to reverse the transaction, but a spark had been ignited.

Cuker later enlisted in the U.S. Army and continued in the National Guard, where he served with honor in the military police of the 26th Infantry Division. His devotion to duty was grounded in an abiding gratitude to the American soldiers who had once safeguarded his family.

After years in uniform, New York City beckoned. Cuker trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and under top acting coaches. His performances spanned Broadway (Man in the Glass Booth), television (notably Law & Order, where he exchanged quick wits with Jerry Orbach and Benjamin Bratt), and major films including The Spanish Prisoner, The Longest Week, What’s the Worst That Could Happen? and Night Falls on Manhattan.

Yet, the stage wasn’t his only calling. In 1976, Cuker’s teenage passion for autos resurfaced. He purchased a Bentley and a Rolls‑Royce and, rebranding himself as “Cooper” with a charming British accent, launched Cooper Classics. What started as a vintage-car rental service blossomed into the East Coast’s premier classic car dealership, luring royalty, industry titans and discerning collectors from around the world.

Cuker transformed automobiles into narrative sculptures, elevating car collecting into artistry. With the founding of Cooper Classics Collection on Perry Street in the West Village, he fused his passion for design and contemporary art, transforming the gallery into a refined, museum-like space where automobiles and art converged in sublime harmony.

Cuker’s influence rippled beyond art and commerce. In the 1980s, what began as a professional connection with a young Rudy Giuliani soon evolved into a lifelong friendship, with Cuker serving as a confidant and drama coach — a trusted adviser who refined Giuliani’s oratory and helped shape his public presence.

Cuker also held leadership roles in the cultural sphere: active in The Actor’s Studio, Equity, SAG, the Negro Ensemble Company (its first white member), Chair of the Mayor’s Film & Entertainment Advisory Council, and as Chair of the host committee for the 1998 World Cup. He wove himself into the fabric of the West Village and Sag Harbor, generously offering his passions and wisdom freely.

Until his final weeks, Cuker embraced life with fullness and joy. Through his late years, he continued to broker cars, swim at Long Beach, and share meals with loved ones. He relished river views after workouts at Chelsea Piers, found contentment in neighborhood strolls, and cherished evenings of laughter over dinners with friends and family.

Cuker and his wife Noeline were in in the Hamptons since 2008. Their house on Little Noyak Path was in between Sag Harbor and Water Mill and they frequented both.