Rod Steiger Wed His Fifth

By Stephen M. Silverman

10/24/1997 at 12:00 AM EDT

Oscar winning actor Rod Steiger ("In the Heat of the Night"), 75, and actress Joan Benedict, age undisclosed, were married before 40 friends and family members in Malibu yesterday, reports columnist Liz Smith. The ceremony marked Steiger's fifth trip down the aisle. (One of his wives was the actress Claire Bloom.) The couple reportedly met years ago and only recently rekindled their friendship. More recently, Steiger was keeping company with Elizabeth Taylor. Benedict, who made some TV appearances in the '80s, and Steiger are due to be seen soon in the independent film "The Flying Dutchman," says Smith.