Actor Fred Ward, who notably starred in “Tremors” in 1990 alongside Kevin Bacon, has died at the age of 79.
A rep for the actor told Variety that he passed away on May 8, without disclosing the exact cause of his death. He said, however, that the actor’s last wish was for memorial tributes to be paid to the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center.
His role in the film “Tremors” was certainly the best known of his filmography, but Fred Ward won a Golden Globe as a cast member of Philip Kaufman’s “Stuff of Heroes” (1983) who will recall him for Henry & June (1990). He had played in many other films such as “Short Cuts” (1993) and “The Player” (1992) by Robert Altman.
Throughout his career, Fred Ward has also acted on television in series such as “True Detective” where he played the father of the policeman played by Colin Farrell, and “ER” in which he played the father of Abby (Maura Tierney).
Fred Ward was absurdly good. A professional in everything he did from TREMORS to THE PLAYER. He could even turn in a great performance is something as patently dumb as JOE DIRT. Totally underrated. https://t.co/gJClMkMtFG
—Robert Daniels (@812filmreviews) May 13, 2022
After pursuing his career in Hollywood until 2018, his rep says he spent the last years of his life painting, reports TMZ.
The actor is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marie-France Ward and his son, Django.