Dean Stockwell
“Back to the Past” star died at the age of 85
Dean Stockwell in his most famous series role in “Back to the Past”.
© imago images / Everett Collection
Hollywood mourns Dean Stockwell. The actor, who has starred in numerous films, has died at the age of 85.
Dean Stockwell is dead. The actor died on November 7, 2021 at the age of 85. According to “Deadline“he is said to have died of natural causes.
Dean Stockwell was one of those actors whose face most people probably know, but don’t necessarily have the name ready. He was born on March 5, 1936 in North Hollywood – and was therefore predestined for a film career. At the age of nine he made his debut alongside Gregory Peck in “The Decision”.
Child star with late career high
Stockwell was one of the few child stars to have been in the movie business all his life, including a brief hiatus in the late 1960s. His Filmography at “imdb.com” includes over 200 entries.
His later career highlight was the 80s, with prominent supporting roles in major films. In 1984 he played the brother of the main character in “Paris, Texas” by Wim Wenders (76). In the same year he was part of the unsuccessful “Dune” film adaptation by David Lynch (75). For the cult director, Stockwell played an eerie mini-role in “Blue Velvet” in 1986. In 1988 he was nominated for an Oscar as best supporting actor for “The Mafiosi Bride” alongside Michelle Pfeiffer (63).
Cult role as holography
But Stockwell played his most iconic role on television. In the weird sci-fi series “Back to the Past” from 1989 to 1993 he embodied a holography clad in flashy clothes, which serves as the companion of the time-traveling hero Scott Bakula (67).
In 2015 Dean Stockwell retired from the film business and exhibited as an artist. He leaves behind a wife and two grown children.