Reports are coming in that Academy Award-nominated actor Ned Beatty has sadly died at the age of 83. Not many details have been shared, but he is said to have passed away around 7:30 AM this morning of natural causes, surrounded by friends and loved ones. His death is not believed to have been COVID-19-related.
Beatty will be best known to CBM fans for his comedic role as Lex Luthor's sidekick Otis in Superman: The Movie and Superman II, but he has appeared in numerous films over the course of his career, including All the President’s Men, Back to School, The Toy, Deliverance, Shooter, Rudy, 1941, and Charlie Wilson’s War. He also voiced Lotso in Toy Story 3. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in 1977's Network.
On the small screen, Beatty was known for his role as Stanley “The Big Man” Bolander in Homicide: Life on the Street. His other TV credits include Roseanne, Law & Order, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, CSI, Szysznyk, The Rockford Files, Kojak, and The Waltons.
Our thought go out to Beatty's friends and family. What is your favorite Ned Beatty performance? Drop us a comment, and check out a "Best of Otis" video below.