RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
05-13-22, 09:38 AM
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RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
Actor Fred Ward has died, according to publicist Ron Hofmann.
The star, who brought a gruff geniality to films that included The Right Stuff, Tremors, Henry and June and The Player died Sunday, May 8 at the age of 79. No cause of death was given.
"The unique thing about Fred Ward is that you never knew where he was going to pop up, so unpredictable were his career choices," Hofmann wrote in an email. "He could play such diverse characters as Remo Williams, a cop trained by Chiun, Master of Sinanju (Joel Grey) to become an unstoppable assassin in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, or Earl Bass, who, alongside Kevin Bacon, battle giant, worm-like monsters hungry for human flesh in 'cult' horror/comedy film, Tremors (1990), or a detective in the indie film Two Small Bodies (1993) directed by underground filmmaker Beth B., or a terrorist planning to blow up the Academy Awards in The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), or the father of the lead character in Jennifer Lopez's revenge thriller Enough (2002)."
Ward is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marie-France Ward and his son Django Ward.
The star, who brought a gruff geniality to films that included The Right Stuff, Tremors, Henry and June and The Player died Sunday, May 8 at the age of 79. No cause of death was given.
"The unique thing about Fred Ward is that you never knew where he was going to pop up, so unpredictable were his career choices," Hofmann wrote in an email. "He could play such diverse characters as Remo Williams, a cop trained by Chiun, Master of Sinanju (Joel Grey) to become an unstoppable assassin in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, or Earl Bass, who, alongside Kevin Bacon, battle giant, worm-like monsters hungry for human flesh in 'cult' horror/comedy film, Tremors (1990), or a detective in the indie film Two Small Bodies (1993) directed by underground filmmaker Beth B., or a terrorist planning to blow up the Academy Awards in The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), or the father of the lead character in Jennifer Lopez's revenge thriller Enough (2002)."
Ward is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marie-France Ward and his son Django Ward.
05-13-22, 09:49 AM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
RIP Remo!! just watched it too. didn't hold up, but he was great in so many things. just saw Escape From Alcatraz too. great in Miami Blues. should watch my Arrow Tremors blu now. this is a childhood loss.
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John Pannozzi (05-13-22)
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John Pannozzi (05-13-22)
05-13-22, 10:38 AM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
The hatch just blew!
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John Pannozzi (05-13-22)
05-13-22, 11:33 AM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
Sad news. I always enjoyed seeing him pop up in movies.
I remember him mostly from Tremors but he also had a pretty good slapstick-y role in The Naked Gun 33 1/3
I remember him mostly from Tremors but he also had a pretty good slapstick-y role in The Naked Gun 33 1/3
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05-13-22, 12:01 PM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
I remember him for his back-to-back performances in Robert Altman's 90's "comeback" movies The Player and Short Cuts. Two very different performance, almost a cartoon in The Player, and such a natural, real person in Short Cuts.
I could never decide if I liked him more with or without the mustache.
I could never decide if I liked him more with or without the mustache.
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John Pannozzi (05-13-22)
05-13-22, 12:28 PM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
Remo Williams was my jam when it came out (I was 14). Always a solid, entertaining, charismatic screen presence in even the weakest of movies. RIP.
05-13-22, 02:28 PM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
He was great. Tremors, Miami Blues, The Player, Escape From Alcatraz. You just liked the guy.
Remo Williams was big for me too in the heyday of VHS. He always brought real spark and a lived in quality from a bygone era like Bogart.
Henry & June was a film i saw at the right time in my early 20's. I had a copy of the movie and watched it for weeks one summer. Got me interested in not just Henry Miller but many of the writers and artists of the time who made their way to Paris in the 30's and 40's.
Was cool seeing him pop up in S2 of True Detective. A shame we didn't see more of him in recent years.
Remo Williams was big for me too in the heyday of VHS. He always brought real spark and a lived in quality from a bygone era like Bogart.
Henry & June was a film i saw at the right time in my early 20's. I had a copy of the movie and watched it for weeks one summer. Got me interested in not just Henry Miller but many of the writers and artists of the time who made their way to Paris in the 30's and 40's.
Was cool seeing him pop up in S2 of True Detective. A shame we didn't see more of him in recent years.
05-13-22, 05:28 PM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
I know it wasn't Academy Award winning stuff, but I thought he was hilarious as the Dad in Road Trip.
And of course, I always knew him most from The Right Stuff and Escape From Alcatraz as a kid. He just seemed like the most likeable guy ever.
And of course, I always knew him most from The Right Stuff and Escape From Alcatraz as a kid. He just seemed like the most likeable guy ever.
05-13-22, 05:53 PM
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Re: RIP: Fred Ward - Dead at 79
RIP Fred. One of my favorite actors, and he starred in my favorite movie (The Right Stuff). And Tremors is one of the movies I've rewatched the most times.
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Trevor (05-13-22)
