Tremors Star Fred Ward Dies At 79
Esteemed character actor Fred Ward has passed away at the age of 79. Born in San Diego, Ward's tough-guy persona in many on-screen roles like Earl Basset from Tremors drew from real-life experience in the United States Air Force, in the ring as a boxer, in Alaska as a lumberjack, and the kitchen as a short-order cook. His work in the film industry began in Rome during his 20s, where he dubbed Italian films into English and acted in projects by director Roberto Rossellini, eventually studying at the Herbert Berghof Studio.
Upon returning to the United States, Ward got his first significant role in Don Siegel's Escape from Alcatraz as a prison escapee alongside Clint Eastwood. He would star in other Hollywood films like Southern Comfort, Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann, and as real-life astronaut Gus Grissom in The Right Stuff. Arguably, some of his more beloved roles came about in the '90s in films like Henry & June, Tremors, and The Player, and in recent years, Ward has been prominent on TV.
Related: Is The Tremors Franchise Over? How The Movies Can Continue
Rolling Stone's Chief TV Critic, Alan Sepinwall, reports that Ward's storied career has ended, having passed away on May 8, 2022, at age 79. The actor's publicist details his life's journey, emphasizing Ward's versatility as a character actor who made unpredictable career choices and took seemingly random roles. The dispatch highlights several other key performances, including Short Cuts, Miami Blues, and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult. Check out the post below:
Here’s a dispatch from Ward’s publicist: pic.twitter.com/OSsnIGLikH
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Although Ward's career slowed in his later years, appearing in the often-disregarded
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