Abstract: A reclining chair having a mechanism which releasably locks with the chair in its fully erect condition, is provided on one of its arms, with a recessed lever-type actuator. In general, the actuator strongly resembles the latch release presently conventionally found on the inner sides of doors on many makes of automobiles. The lever connects by cable with a lock release which, when rotated by rotation of the lever frees the mechanism to operate for reclining the chair. The actuator assembly includes a backing plate for mounting the actuator to a chair arm, for fitting the cable sheath, and for preventing accidental disassembly of the lever housing. The assembly can be mounted on left or right sides of chairs. The lock release also preferably acts as a drive to initiate movement of the mechanism from the closed position upon unlocking, and tensions the cable for providing a re-latching function as the mechanism is closed by the user.