Veteran COCOON And FIRST BLOOD Character Actor Brian Dennehy Has Passed Away Aged 81

Veteran COCOON And FIRST BLOOD Character Actor Brian Dennehy Has Passed Away Aged 81

Sad news to report this evening, as Tony Award-winning character actor Brian Dennehy has passed away at the age of 81. The versatile big man was known for roles in the likes of Cocoon, Tommy Boy and FX...

By MarkCassidy - Apr 16, 2020 01:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Other

Tributes from fans and celebs have been pouring in for veteran stage and screen actor Brian Dennehy, who passed away at the age of 81 earlier today.

A regular fixture of '70s and '80s cinema, the Tony and Golden Globe-winning character actor was best known for his roles in the likes of First Blood, Cocoon, FX: Murder By Illusion and Tommy Boy, but he had racked up more than 180 acting credits over the course of his lengthy career.

Dennehy died Wednesday in New Haven, Connecticut, with his wife Jennifer and son Cormac by his side.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce that our father, Brian passed away last night from natural causes, not Covid-related," his oldest daughter, actress Elizabeth Dennehy, wrote on Twitter. "Larger than life, generous to a fault, a proud and devoted father and grandfather, he will be missed by his wife Jennifer, family and many friends."

If you're unfamiliar with Brian Dennehy's work, do yourself an a favor and check out some of his back catalog. He played a wide variety of memorable heroes and villains over the years, and brought gravitas to every project he was a part of. 

Our thoughts go out to Mr. Dennehy's family and friends.

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ChangAlang
ChangAlang - 4/16/2020, 1:48 PM
Magnificent actor! Gave me the chills as John Wayne Gacy.

R.I.P
AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 4/16/2020, 1:58 PM
Such an awesome actor. R.I.P.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 4/16/2020, 2:04 PM
Rest in paradise.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 4/16/2020, 2:09 PM
One of the best voices ever. RIP.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 4/16/2020, 2:13 PM
Damn, he was awesome in First Blood.

Buckkit
Buckkit - 4/16/2020, 2:13 PM
Man oh man, 2020 isn't easing up on us! My favorite movie with him in it was Gladiator, such an underrated flick and he was awesome as the antagonist.
RIP
JizzerTron
JizzerTron - 4/16/2020, 4:43 PM
@Buckkit - I was thinking the same thing. He played such a great villain in that.
lawndart
lawndart - 4/17/2020, 3:02 AM
@JizzerTron - I do not remember him in that movie at all.
JizzerTron
JizzerTron - 4/17/2020, 8:46 AM
@lawndart - he had a huge part. He was the main villain.
Buckkit
Buckkit - 4/17/2020, 9:47 AM
@lawndart - Not to be confused with the Russell Crowe Glaiator movie, the one I'm referring to was a boxing flick from the early 90's.
lawndart
lawndart - 4/17/2020, 6:28 PM
@Buckkit - Ah, there it is! Now I need to go look for this other Gladiator
CurlyBill
CurlyBill - 4/16/2020, 2:36 PM
Great actor always played a good heavy in films.

R.I.P
KidYamato
KidYamato - 4/16/2020, 2:57 PM
Rest in peace sir. Very good actor, was great in the movie 'Gladiator' (1992), underrated movie filmed in my hometown of Chicago, IL.
WarnerBrother
WarnerBrother - 4/16/2020, 3:46 PM
He was great in Silverado as well. RIP Mr.Dennehy.

Thing94
Thing94 - 4/16/2020, 4:30 PM
RIP. Great in First Blood and F/X 2
Skestra
Skestra - 4/16/2020, 5:19 PM
One of the great ones.
Kadara
Kadara - 4/16/2020, 5:54 PM
May he rest in peace and condolences to his family.
blitzburgh
blitzburgh - 4/16/2020, 6:37 PM
Jeez him and Howard Finkel... Today extracts a heavy toll
NateBest
NateBest - 4/16/2020, 7:21 PM
RIP :(

Jimster
Jimster - 4/16/2020, 8:30 PM
R.I.P. One of my favorite actors.
L0RDbuckethead
L0RDbuckethead - 4/16/2020, 8:57 PM
RIP Ol' Tom Callahan

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