American movie stars died at 66
Here are 17 famous actors from United States of America died at 66:
Ken Kesey
Ken Kesey (September 17, 1935 La Junta-November 10, 2001 Eugene) a.k.a. Kenneth Elton Kesey or Kenneth Elton "Ken" Kesey was an American author, actor, essayist, screenwriter, novelist, writer and poet. He had four children, Sunshine Kesey, Zane Kesey, Shannon Kesey and Jed Kesey.
He died caused by liver tumour.
Ken Kesey was a prominent figure of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and was best known for his novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", which was adapted into a popular film directed by Milos Forman. He was also known for his experimentation with psychedelic drugs such as LSD, which influenced his writing and worldview. Kesey was a graduate of the University of Oregon, where he played football and wrestled. He later became a key figure in the Merry Pranksters, a group of people who sought to challenge societal norms through various forms of art and self-expression. Kesey's other notable works include "Sometimes a Great Notion" and "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test". He was also a farmer and a logger, which informed his writing about rural life in the Pacific Northwest. Kesey's legacy continues to influence American literature and popular culture to this day.
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Damon Runyon
Damon Runyon (October 4, 1880 Manhattan-December 10, 1946 New York City) also known as Alfred Damon Runyan or Alfred Damon Runyon was an American writer, journalist, author, actor, film producer and screenwriter. His children are called Mary Runyon and Damon Runyon, Jr..
He died caused by laryngeal cancer.
Damon Runyon began his career as a newspaper journalist, covering sports and other events for various publications. He later became known for his short stories, which often portrayed the colorful characters and underworld of New York City during the Prohibition era.
Runyon's stories were adapted for the stage and screen, including the hit musical "Guys and Dolls," based on his collection of short stories titled "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown." He also appeared in several films, often playing himself as a character.
Despite his success, Runyon was known for his gambling and heavy drinking. He was a fixture in the speakeasies and nightclubs of New York's Broadway district, where he drew inspiration for many of his stories.
Today, Runyon is remembered as a master storyteller who captured the unique flavor of New York City during a bygone era.
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Fred Gwynne
Fred Gwynne (July 10, 1926 New York City-July 2, 1993 Taneytown) also known as Frederick Hubbard "Fred" Gwynne, Frederick Hubbard Gwynne or Fred was an American actor, singer, writer, painter and illustrator. He had five children, Madyn Gwynne, Dylan Gwynne, Evan Gwynne, Keiron Gwynne and Gaynor Gwynne.
He died as a result of pancreatic cancer.
Fred Gwynne was a versatile artist who made significant contributions to several fields. He was best known for his acting career and was widely recognized for his work in the television series, "The Munsters". In addition to this popular role, Gwynne appeared in several other television shows and movies throughout his career. Some of his notable works include "Car 54, Where Are You?", "Pet Sematary", and "My Cousin Vinny".
Apart from acting, Gwynne was also an accomplished writer and illustrator. He authored and illustrated several children's books such as "The King Who Rained" and "A Chocolate Moose for Dinner". Gwynne was also a talented painter and held exhibitions of his artwork throughout his career.
Born in New York City in 1926, Gwynne attended Harvard University where he pursued a degree in English. After completing his studies, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before beginning his career in the arts. Despite his success in various fields, Gwynne's legacy is still mainly tied to his iconic performance as Herman Munster in "The Munsters".
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Joe Louis
Joe Louis (May 13, 1914 La Fayette-April 12, 1981 Paradise) also known as Joseph Louis Barlow, Joe Louis Detroit's Brown Bomber, Sgt. Joe Louis, Chappy, Brown Bomber or The Brown Bomber was an American professional boxer and actor. He had three children, Jacqueline Barrow, Joseph Louis Barrow Jr. and Joe Louis Barrow Jr..
He died in myocardial infarction.
Joe Louis is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. He held the World Heavyweight Championship for a record-setting 12 years and defended it 25 times, including against famous opponents such as Max Schmeling and Billy Conn. Outside of the ring, Louis became a symbol of hope and inspiration for African Americans during the Jim Crow era. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Legion of Merit. After retiring from boxing, Louis faced financial difficulties and became an advocate for athletes' rights. In addition to his boxing career and military service, Louis appeared in several films and television shows. His legacy as a pioneering athlete and civil rights icon endures to this day.
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Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan (July 8, 1908 Brinkley-February 4, 1975 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Louis Jordon, Jordan, Louis, Louis Thomas Jordan, The King of the Juke Boxes, Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five, Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, Louis Jordan and His Tympani Five or The King of the Jukebox was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, saxophonist and bandleader.
He died caused by myocardial infarction.
Jordan was a highly influential figure in the development of R&B and jump blues. His music blended jazz, blues, and swing, and he was known for his energetic and humorous performances. Jordan had many hits in the 1940s and 1950s, including "Caldonia," "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby." He was also a popular performer in movies and on television. Jordan's influence can be heard in the music of many later artists, including Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, and James Brown. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
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Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer (November 18, 1909 Savannah-June 25, 1976 Hollywood) a.k.a. Johhny Mercer, John Herndon Mercer, John Mercer or John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American songwriter, lyricist, singer, composer, film score composer and actor. He had two children, Amanda Mercer and John Jefferson Mercer.
He died caused by brain cancer.
Mercer is considered as one of America's greatest songwriters due to his impressive and extensive body of work that includes over 1,500 songs, many of which became hits and standards. Some of Mercer's most popular songs are "Moon River", "Hooray for Hollywood", "Jeepers Creepers", "That Old Black Magic", "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive", and "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby". He also collaborated with many notable composers including Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Arlen, and Jerome Kern.
In addition to his songwriting career, Mercer also had success as a singer and actor. He performed with notable big bands, including those of Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. He also appeared in several films, including "The Harvey Girls" and "Midnight Sun".
Mercer was a founding member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his contributions to American music were recognized with four Academy Award nominations and 18 Grammy Award nominations, winning four. His legacy continues to influence and inspire musicians today.
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W. C. Fields
W. C. Fields (January 29, 1880 Darby-December 25, 1946 Pasadena) a.k.a. William Claude Dukenfield, W.C. Fields, W. C Fields, Bill, Uncle Claudie, Charles Bogle, Mahatma Kane Jeeves, Otis Criblecobble, Otis Criblecoblis, Uncle Claude, Wm. C. Fields, Bill Fields, The Eccentric Juggler or Claude Dukenfield was an American comedian, actor, writer, screenwriter, juggler and singer. He had two children, William Claude Fields, Jr. and William Rexford Fields Morris.
Fields began his career in vaudeville in the early 1900s, where he gained popularity for his comedic juggling routines and witty one-liners. He then transitioned to Broadway and later to film, where he starred in over 50 films including "It's a Gift" and "The Bank Dick". Known for his deadpan humor and love of alcohol, Fields became one of the most iconic comedians of the early 20th century. Despite his success in show business, Fields was reportedly difficult to work with and had a reputation for being a heavy drinker on set. He passed away on Christmas Day in 1946 at the age of 66.
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James Maxwell
James Maxwell (March 23, 1929 Worcester-August 18, 1995 London) a.k.a. James Ackley Maxwell was an American actor.
He is best known for his roles in popular films such as "The Sting" (1973), "The China Syndrome" (1979), and "All That Jazz" (1979). Maxwell was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and began his acting career in the 1950s. He initially started out in theater before transitioning to film and television. In addition to his film work, Maxwell also made numerous appearances in television shows including "Mannix," "Kojak," and "The Twilight Zone." Maxwell passed away in 1995 in London, England, where he had been living at the time.
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J. Stuart Blackton
J. Stuart Blackton (January 5, 1875 Sheffield-August 13, 1941 Hollywood) otherwise known as James Stuart Blackton or Komikal Kartoonist was an American film producer, film director, actor, cinematographer and screenwriter. His children are Charles Stuart Blackton, J. Stuart Blackton Jr., Marian Blackton Trimble and Violet Virginia Blackton.
He died as a result of traffic collision.
Blackton was a pioneer in the animation industry and is considered to be one of the fathers of American animation. He co-founded the Vitagraph Company with Albert E. Smith in 1897, which was one of the most prolific early film studios. He is also known for creating the first animated film copyrighted in the United States called "Humorous Phases of Funny Faces" (1906).
Blackton was a versatile filmmaker, directing and producing hundreds of films including live-action dramas, comedies, and animated shorts. He was also an active member of the film industry, co-founding the Motion Picture Industry Association and serving as the president of the New York Motion Picture Club.
In addition to his film career, Blackton was an accomplished author and illustrator, contributing to publications such as The New York World and Harper's Weekly. His book "The Art of Animated Drawing" (1926) is still considered a valuable resource for animators today.
Despite his many contributions to early cinema, Blackton's legacy has largely been overshadowed by the success of Walt Disney and other later animation pioneers. However, his impact on the art form cannot be denied, and he is recognized as a significant figure in the history of American animation.
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Edwin Forrest
Edwin Forrest (March 9, 1806 Philadelphia-December 12, 1872 Philadelphia) was an American actor.
Forrest was best known for his powerful voice and physicality on stage. He was one of the most popular actors of his time, and was particularly acclaimed for his performances in Shakespearean roles such as Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear. At the height of his career, he was known as the "American Tragedian" and was highly influential in shaping the style of American acting. He was also known for his philanthropy and support of the arts, and helped to establish the first American actor's union. Forrest's personal life was often tumultuous, and he was involved in several high-profile scandals, including a bitter and public feud with fellow actor William Charles Macready. Despite these controversies, his legacy as an actor and his impact on American theatre are still celebrated today.
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Paul Frees
Paul Frees (June 22, 1920 Chicago-November 2, 1986 Tiburon) also known as Solomon Hersh Frees, Man of a Thousand Voices, Buddy Green, Paul H. Frees, Solomon Hirsch Freeze or The man with the voice of 1,000 was an American voice actor, actor, author, songwriter, screenwriter, composer and vaudeville performer.
He died as a result of cardiovascular disease.
Paul Frees was best known for his work in animation, lending his voice to many iconic characters such as Boris Badenov in "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show," Ludwig von Drake in Disney cartoons, and the Pillsbury Doughboy. He also did voice-over work for many popular theme park attractions, including Walt Disney's "Haunted Mansion" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride. Frees' screen acting credits include appearances in "The Thing from Another World" and "The War of the Worlds." In addition to his voice acting work, Frees wrote and composed music for television and films, receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for the film "The Jazz Singer." He was also a successful author, penning several books, including "One Voice, Many" and "Wandering Ghosts."
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Tom Keene
Tom Keene (December 30, 1896 Rochester-August 4, 1963 Woodland Hills) also known as George Duryea, Dick Powers, Tom Keen or Richard Powers was an American actor.
He died caused by cancer.
Tom Keene was born in Rochester, New York and was the son of a theatre manager. He began his career on stage and made his film debut in the 1929 film, The Virginian. Keene went on to star in over 100 films during his career, including a series of B-Westerns in the 1930s and 1940s. He also had roles in major films such as The Sound of Music and The Day the Earth Stood Still. In addition to his acting career, Keene was an accomplished aviator and served as a flight instructor during World War II. He was married twice and had one son. Keene was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 1999.
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Ron O'Neal
Ron O'Neal (September 1, 1937 Utica-January 14, 2004 Los Angeles) was an American screenwriter, film director and actor.
He died as a result of pancreatic cancer.
O'Neal is best known for his leading role as "Priest" in the 1972 blaxploitation film, "Super Fly." He also appeared in several other films, including "The Gambler," "Red Dawn," and "Original Gangstas." In addition to his acting career, O'Neal wrote and directed several films, including "Up Against the Wall" and "A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich." Prior to his entertainment career, O'Neal also served in the United States Air Force.
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James Leo Herlihy
James Leo Herlihy (February 27, 1927 Detroit-October 21, 1993 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Jim or Jaime was an American writer, novelist, playwright and actor.
He died in drug overdose.
Herlihy was best known for his novel "Midnight Cowboy" which was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. His other works include "All Fall Down," "The Season of the Witch," and "Blue Boy." In addition to writing, Herlihy also acted in minor roles in films such as "The Young Runaways" and "The Big Parade of Comedy." Despite his success, Herlihy struggled with depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction throughout his life.
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Robert Lansing
Robert Lansing (June 5, 1928 San Diego-October 23, 1994 New York City) a.k.a. Robert Howell Brown was an American actor. His children are Robert Frederick Orin Lansing and Alice Lucille.
He died as a result of lung cancer.
Lansing began his acting career in 1956 with a role in the TV series "The Elgin Hour". He went on to appear in many popular TV shows such as "Perry Mason", "The Twilight Zone", and "Star Trek", where he played Commander Gary Mitchell in the episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before". He also had a successful film career, starring in movies like "12 O'Clock High" and "A Gathering of Eagles".
Aside from acting, Lansing was also a talented writer and director. He wrote several episodes for TV shows including "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Equalizer", and also directed episodes of "Automan" and "Knight Rider". Further, he founded the pioneering digital animation studio Robert Abel and Associates in the late 1960s.
Lansing was married twice. His first marriage was to Emily McLaughlin, an actress from "General Hospital". After their divorce, he married Anne Pivar, with whom he remained until his death.
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Gilbert Lani Kauhi
Gilbert Lani Kauhi (October 17, 1937 Hawaii-May 3, 2004 Hilo) also known as Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi or Zulu was an American actor.
He died in diabetes mellitus.
Gilbert Lani Kauhi was best known for his role as Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the popular television series "Hawaii Five-O". He appeared in over 100 episodes of the show from 1968 to 1979. Kauhi was born in Hilo, Hawaii and grew up in nearby Pahala. He got his start in entertainment as a musician and singer, performing with the group "The Islanders". In addition to his acting career, Kauhi was also a widely respected Hawaiian cultural ambassador, promoting the traditions and values of his native culture. Despite battling with diabetes for many years, he continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death in 2004 at the age of 66.
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Bubba Smith
Bubba Smith (February 28, 1945 Orange-August 3, 2011 Baldwin Hills) also known as Charles Aaron Smith, Bubba or Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American american football player and actor.
He died caused by drug overdose.
Bubba Smith was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons, primarily playing for the Baltimore Colts and the Oakland Raiders. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and won Super Bowl V with the Colts in 1971. After retiring from football, Smith pursued a career in acting and became well-known for his role as Moses Hightower in the Police Academy film series. He also appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including Good Times, Charlie's Angels, and Married... with Children. In addition, Smith was a successful businessman and owned several McDonald's franchises. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
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