Harry Dean Stanton dead at 91

close

Video

Actor Harry Dean Stanton dead at age 91

Character actor's movie and TV career spanned more than 60 years

Character actor Harry Dean Stanton, who appeared in such films as "Cool Hand Luke," "Kelly's Heroes," "The Godfather Part II" and "Alien," has died at age 91, Fox News confirmed Friday.

Stanton passed away from natural causes at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

Before finding fame in Hollywood, the Kentucky native previously served in the Navy during World War II and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. After his service, Stanton pursued acting on-stage in a University of Kentucky production of "Pygmalion."

Once Stanton moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his craft, he appeared in his first film, “Tomahawk Trail,” in 1957.

Stanton later landed roles in numerous hit films, including “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Godfather: Part II,” and “The Missouri Breaks,” which featured his lifelong friend Jack Nicholson.

Stanton’s film career continued to flourish in the ‘80s with classics, such as “Escape from New York,” “Paris, Texas,” and “Pretty in Pink.”

In 1990, he played an ill-fated private investigator in “Wild at Heart,” which was directed by David Lynch. The filmmaker went on to cast Stanton again in “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” in 1992 and “The Straight Story” in 1999.

Stanton didn’t just pursue films later in his lifetime. He also appeared in the hit HBO series “Big Love” for four seasons. His voice was also heard in the animated film “Rango,” opposite Johnny Depp.

Stanton remained a working actor until the end. His last performance will be seen in the upcoming film “Lucky,” which will be released Sept. 29.