Hollywood star Fred Ward has passed away at the age of 79, his publicist revealed on Friday.
According to the New York Post, the cause of death is unknown and the actor’s publicist Ron Hofmann refused to reveal it.
In a statement, Hofmann wrote: “I am sad to announce the passing of acclaimed actor Fred Ward, who passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at age 79.”
Hoffmann said that Ward’s final wishes were for his fans to make donations.
Speaking to the New York Post, he said: “It was Fred Ward’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of donations to the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center.”
Ward from San Diego started his career in the 1970s. He then appeared in many popular movies including Sweet Home Alabama, Enough, Henry & June, and Tremors.
He was best known for his role as Gus Grissom in the 1983 film The Right Stuff.
Even though the star managed to keep his life private, he was married three times throughout his life.
Ward and his first wife Carla Evonne Steward tied the knot in 1965 but divorced in 1966. He then married Silvia Ward, with whom he shares his son Django.
In 1995, he tied the knot with Marie-France Boisselle, who filed for divorce in August 2013. They also reconciled that same year, TMZ reported.
People took to social media and shared tributes.
Executive Producer for the Walking Dead Gale Anne Hurd wrote: “#RIP #FredWard was one of the nicest, talented and under-rated actors. A pure delight on-screen and off. I was privileged to work with him on #Tremors [and] #CastADeadlySpell.”
Director Alex Winter said: “RIP Fred Ward. He always elevated the films he was in.”
Alan Sepinwell, a Rollong Stone TV critic, posted: “RIP, Fred Ward, a great character actor whose big shot at leading man status, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, unfortunately flopped, but who kept giving great, lived-in performances for the rest of his career.”
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