Celebrated Actor Harry Dean Stanton Dies At Age 91!
John F. Trent
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Actor Harry Dean Stanton known for his roles in Pretty in Pink, Alien, Cool Hand Luke, and Twin Peaks died at the age of 91. He passed away peacefully at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, California.
Stanton appeared in over 100 films and 50 television episodes. He was born in West Irvine, Kentucky. Before becoming an actor, he served his country as a cook in the U.S. Navy during World War II and took part in the Battle of Okinawa.
After he finished his time in the Navy he attended the University of Kentucky and appeared in a production of “Pygmalion” before setting sail to California.
He would spend time touring the United States in a male choir and working in a children’s theater before he made his first onscreen appearance in Tomahawk Trail in 1957.
From there his career took off. He would make an appearance in the classic western show The Rifleman in 1959. He also played Hodge in Gunsmoke from 1958 to 1968. In 1967 he was Tramp in Cool Hand Luke. In 1970, he took on the role as Willard in Kelly’s Heroes.
He played an FBI agent in The Godfather: Part II, He took on the role of Brain in Escape from New York, and was Mr. Eckert in Red Dawn.
Here’s a scene of him as Brain from Escape from New York:
In 1992 he took on the role of Carl Rodd in Twin Peaks. He would reprise his role just this year.
He even had a small part in The Avengers as a security guard and was a Judge in Feat and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Here’s his scene from The Avengers:
Stanton’s final appearance will be seen in Lucky which is expected to air later this month.
Along with his acting career, Harry Dean Stanton was also a talented musician. He played guitar and sang in The Harry Dean Stanton Band.
He took up the guitar in a recent episode of Twin Peaks.
Many of his fans remembered his career and legacy:
Thank you, Sir. For every role you blessed with your remarkable presence & every emotion, with your glorious face. Harry Dean Stanton RIP pic.twitter.com/itWcgWbUvz
— Fiona Adorno🌻 (@FionaAdorno) September 15, 2017
Rest In Peace, Harry Dean Stanton pic.twitter.com/NciVEUWtox
— 20th Century Studios (@20thcentury) September 15, 2017
Harry Dean Stanton was a wonderful man, kind and full of humor. He was also a great actor. Goodbye, Harry Dean. Rest in peace.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) September 15, 2017
A statement from @DAVID_LYNCH on the passing of the great Harry Dean Stanton. #RIPHarryDeanStanton #TwinPeaks #Showtime pic.twitter.com/EmsO1zotsk
— Twin Peaks (@SHO_TwinPeaks) September 15, 2017
The Alien family mourns the loss of Harry Dean Stanton. May you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/iAw2VcK2Uw
— Alien (@AlienAnthology) September 16, 2017
R.I.P. Harry Dean Stanton. #HarryDeanStanton .A Quintessential Character. And Performer (Portrait done in honor of his birthday last year) pic.twitter.com/xkb3oSdSI2
— Bill Sienkiewicz (@sinKEVitch) September 16, 2017
The late great Roger Ebert already wrote perhaps the ultimate tribute to Harry Dean Stanton. pic.twitter.com/P25M3VIXrb
— Noel Murray (@NoelMu) September 16, 2017
Just lost my friend of the past 45 years. Harry Dean Stanton. My heart is broken, but at 91…a life well lived.
— Ed Begley, Jr. (@edbegleyjr) September 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/JaimieAlexander/status/908846305950277632
He will definitely be missed. Rest In Peace Harry Dean Stanton.
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