80s And 90s Action Stars Who Died And You May Not Have Noticed
This feature references alcohol addiction and drug misuse.
When some action stars from the '80s and '90s have died, not only is it all over the news, it remains in the headlines for a while. Think about it. First, there's news of the death itself, followed by reports of fellow celebrity reactions, and then if the cause of death wasn't revealed immediately, there will be more coverage down the line. On the other side of things, you have those stars who don't seem to get a lot of coverage when they die, or it seems news of their death quickly comes and goes. So, for those people, we created a list and broke down some of their biggest accomplishments.
Now sure, some may argue they're well aware of some of these celebrity deaths. But there still might be details about the actor's life and career that they may have been unaware of. So with that said, shall we begin? Here are the action stars from the '80s and '90s who died and you may not have noticed.
Rutger Hauer was highly loved and respected
His first Hollywood motion picture was 1981's "Nighthawks," starring Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams. One of his last was a film called "Break." In between those projects, he racked up a more than impressive acting resume and became highly respected in the entertainment world and beyond. This is the celebrated Dutch actor Rutger Hauer we're talking about here, most known for playing Batty, the leader of the renegade Nexus-6 replicants, in 1982's "Blade Runner." Sadly, he died in 2019, aged 75, in the Netherlands.
While NBC News reported that the star died shortly after falling ill, not much else was specified. As one can probably expect, the response to his death was huge and many of those who had worked with him released statements. In a statement published by Entertainment Weekly, "Blade Runner" director Ridley Scott said, "Rutger was the gentle giant. I don't know who was more nervous on that first morning of the first day ... We helped each other through the entire process because it was very challenging. I'll miss him."
Meanwhile, Hauer's "Blade Runner" co-star, Daryl Hannah talked about the deep love she had for the late actor and how she was proud of his activism. "It was thrilling to work with him as an actor and I admired his deep commitment as an activist, with his support of the important work of Sea Shepard and of those who fight against the scourge of AIDS," she shared in a statement published by Fox News.
Roddy Piper went from the ring to the big screen
His name was Roderick George Toombs and he starred in several films in the '80s and '90s. However, the majority of fans will be more familiar with his wrestling moniker, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Per TMZ, in July 2015, the star died of cardiac arrest during his sleep, aged 61. Undoubtedly, he was one of the wrestlers that helped bring massive success to the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s, considered by many to be one of the federation's golden ages.
Famous for wearing a kilt and for playing bagpies, Piper was also part of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1984 to 2000. In 2005 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, which won't be surprising for anyone who's followed his career. Beyond the ring, Piper also appeared in films like "Body Slam" in 1986, and John Carpenter's 1988 cult classic, "They Live." But his movie career really ramped up in the '90s after starring in action films like "Immortal Combat," "No Contest," "Sci-Fighters," and "The Bad Pack."
In 2002, Piper released an autobiography called "In the Pit With Piper: Roddy Gets Rowdy," so he clearly accomplished a lot prior to his death — something he once talked about. "I've been around the world seven times, been stabbed three times, been down in an airplane, and once dated the Bearded Lady," Piper once said, according to The Oregonian. "... I've been in 30 car crashes, none of 'em my fault, I swear."
Andre the Giant was called 'gentle'
Even those who weren't wrestling fans probably knew who Andre the Giant was. His mere size, which was seven foot four inches and approximately 500 pounds, made him a part of American pop culture during his peak of fame. Born André René Roussimoff in Grenoble, France in 1946, the wrestling legend died of a heart attack in Paris in January 1993, at the age of 46. Per the Los Angeles Times, he was visiting his home country to attend his father's funeral when he died. As some may know, Roussimoff was born with acromegaly, a condition that John Hopkins explains happens when one's "pituitary gland makes too much growth hormone" and "abnormal growth occurs."
To say the wrestling world was in mourning when Roussimoff passed away would be an understatement since he wrestled for decades. He also helped to make the World Wide Wrestling Federation a household name in the '80s. When Roussimoff went to Hollywood, it's safe to say that he brought many of his wrestling fans with him — because just ask any Andre the Giant fan if they've watched his 1987 film "The Princess Bride" and the answer will probably be a big fat yes. "[He was] the classic gentle giant," said the film's director, Rob Reiner on an episode of "The Brad Gilmore Show." "He really was that. He was the sweetest man and he was so smart. I mean, a really smart guy ... He was an amazing guy."
Clarence Gilyard Jr. got into teaching
Clarence Gilyard Jr. was a naval flight officer in 1986's "Top Gun," as well as Theo, the tech guy who helped take over the Nakatomi Plaza in "Die Hard." He also appeared in other '80s flicks like "The Karate Kid Part II" and "Off the Mark." Sadly, the respected actor died on November 28, 2022, at 66 years old, after experiencing a long illness. By then he'd taken a job at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as an associate professor at the College of Fine Arts.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the school's dean, Nancy Uscher, wrote, "His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments." Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he revealed that teaching had made him a better actor. "I'm a professional, but the profession has to feed the classroom," he said.
Along with Gilyard's movie success, he was known for his many roles on the small screen too, working on the '80s action drama "CHiPs," and as Ranger James Trivette on "Walker, Texas Ranger." As he told the Catholic News Agency, he also faced personal struggles at one point during his career "I hit bottom," the actor admitted. "It was pretty much sex, drugs, and rock and roll." Eventually, by the end of his 30s, he'd sought therapy, joined a 12-step treatment program, and gotten sober.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Alan Rickman was the ultimate villain
The person who Clarence Gilyard's character worked for in "Die Hard" was Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman. The action classic was the British star's first feature film. But, even though he's often associated with Hans, "Die Hard" was a mere drop in a massive sea of work that began onstage. Rickman died in January 2016, in London, England from cancer at the age of 69. To reiterate, the actor couldn't be called a one-hit wonder, because it seems that he never stopped working after "Die Hard."
Some of his projects released in the '80s and '90s include "The January Man," "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Judas Kiss." Later, Rickman starred in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" parts one and two. "My thoughts are with Rima and the rest of Alan's family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts," tweeted Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling, who sent her thoughts to Rickman's wife, Rima Horton.
Kate Winslet was also one of the many celebs who shared their thoughts about Rickman's passing. "I remember being so intimidated by him when we worked together when I was 19 because he had such a powerful and commanding presence," she wrote on Facebook. "And that voice! Oh, that voice ... But the reality, of course, was that he was the kindest and best of men."
Julius Carry was a star after one film
Julius Carry may not have been an A-list action star like say, Arnold Schwarzenegger but some would still call him a star nonetheless. That has a lot to do with Sho'nuff, the legendary character he created in the cult classic film, "The Last Dragon," released in 1985. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Carry died on August 19, 2008, in Studio City, California, of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 56.
A Chicago native, Carry wanted to act after appearing in high school plays. After attending a year at Quincy College in Illinois, he hightailed it to California to pursue his acting dreams. Besides being in "The Last Dragon," Carry's other films, all released in the '80s, include "The Man with One Red Shoe," "World Gone Wild," and "Moving." But again, it was the six-foot-five-inch actor's character in "The Last Dragon" that made him a star. That could be because he approached the part like a method actor, always staying in character.
"I don't remember him anywhere near the set not in character," explained his former co-star, Kirk Taylor, during a tribute event for the film. "He was in the headspace of The Shogun of Harlem constantly. He shared with me that he was having dreams where he was actually fighting with two of our film's martial arts advisers, waking up drenched in the middle of the night."
Kevin Conroy was a pioneer
As we mentioned with Julius Carry, not every action star is a Hollywood A-lister who brought in a gazillion dollars at the box office. Some are stars due to one specific and iconic role or maybe what they've accomplished in the vocal booth. Actor Kevin Conroy can be placed in the latter category because he shot to fame after voicing the part of Batman in the animated series from 1992 to 1996. He also voiced the character in animated films and video games. In November 2022, the celebrated voice actor died in New York City, from intestinal cancer, aged 66.
But voicing The Dark Knight for three decades was far from Conroy's only gig. Before that he'd starred in the 1992 film "Chain of Desire," and also dipped his toe into soap operas, enjoying significant arcs in "Another World," "Search for Tomorrow" and "Dynasty." According to CBS News, Conroy was the first openly gay actor to depict the Batman character. He even penned a comic book titled "Finding Batman" for DC Pride, where he opened up about his sexuality. "Whenever you share something that personal you risk," said Conroy in a Twitter video following the comic's release. "And you all made that risk so worthwhile."
As the voice of the Joker, Mark Hammil worked with Conroy several times. In a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter, he noted, "I loved him like a brother ... Every time I saw him or spoke with him, my spirits were elevated."
Jimmy Wang Yu influenced two legends
You know someone is a huge martial arts star when Jackie Chan says that he's been influenced by that person. On April 5, 2022, Chan posted a message about Hong Kong movie star Jimmy Wang Yu, who died on that same day in Taipei, Taiwan at 79 after being ill for many years. "Another martial arts hero has left us," Chan wrote on Instagram, next to a photo of himself with Yu. "The contributions you've made to kung fu movies and the support and wisdom you've given to the younger generations will always be remembered in the industry. And your movies will always remain in the hearts of your fans. We will miss you!"
Although Yu's film career stretched into the '80s, '90s, and beyond, it began in the '60s. At one point, he even became Hong Kong's biggest film star, long before Chan or Bruce Lee's career took off. As Matthew Polly, the author of "Bruce Lee: A Life," explained to The New York Times, Yu's influence on martial arts cinema was huge. "Jimmy Wang Yu was the biggest action star in Hong Kong, and Bruce had his sights on him," he explained. "... In a way, Jimmy Wang Yu was responsible for Bruce Lee's success, because 'The Chinese Boxer' established the template for the kung fu movie and Bruce used that as his model for 'Fist of Fury,' which is more or less a rip-off of 'The Chinese Boxer.'"
Sondra Locke fought for professional freedom
Tennessee-born Sondra Locke was a staple in Clint Eastwood films like "Bronco Billy," "Any Which Way You Can," and "Sudden Impact" since she was in a relationship with him for 14 years. In all, the pair collaborated on six films together. She died on November 3, 2018, from cardiac arrest, as a complication of breast and bone cancer, aged 74.
As for her relationship with Eastwood, it eventually soured and she sued him for palimony in 1989. As a result, Locked was given a three-year contract with Warner Bros. to develop and direct films. However, a reported 30 projects of Locke's were turned down and she accused Eastwood of having orchestrated the deal to ruin her career. So, she sued him for a second time in 1995, this time for fraud, which was eventually settled for an undisclosed amount. According to the Los Angeles Times, she told reporters that the sum was certainly large enough to be helpful, but it was beside the point. "This was never about money," she said. "It was about my fighting for my professional rights."
But her career wasn't solely defined by drama. As well as having a huge impact on the film industry, the Oscar nominee also made a huge impact on those in her hometown of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Scott Jackson, who acted opposite Locke when they were teenagers, told The Tennessean, "Because Sondra made it big, that gave us hope we could do something big with our lives, too."
DMX added film star to his resume
The man born Earl Simmons, later known as DMX, received instant fame after releasing his 1998 album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot," which sold an extremely high number of units. Then that same year, he released another LP, "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood," which also did so well that Simmons became even more of a household name. But his climb up the celebrity ladder wouldn't stop there, as he received even more fans after becoming a film star. Simmons' first film was 1998's "Belly," where he played the role of Tommy "Buns" Bundy, but he went on to star in a variety of action flicks, including "Exit Wounds," "Never Die Alone," and "Cradle 2 the Grave," opposite Jet Li,
In April 2021, Simmons died aged 50, due to a drug-induced heart attack, according to the New York Post. The news of the star's death was huge in music, especially in hip-hop circles. However, the film industry mourned him too. On Twitter, his former co-star, Li, wrote, "It was truly my honor to work [with] and get to know you." Meanwhile, "Beyond the Law" filmmaker, James Cullen, recalled his joy at working with the actor on the flick, in which he starred opposite Steven Seagal. "They say don't meet your [heroes] but sometimes your [heroes] are better and kinder than you ever would have imagined," he tweeted. "The world lost an artist, a genius, and a kind soul. I lost a friend."
Sean Connery was the first 007
There's something to be said for being the first, which Sean Connery could've bragged about when it comes to playing James Bond if he so desired. He was the first actor to play Agent 007 on the big screen and had a stellar career afterward. So of course, much of that was discussed when the actor died, aged 90, on October 31, 2020. According to TMZ, the star died peacefully in his sleep from respiratory failure caused by pneumonia and heart failure.
In all, Connery starred in seven Bond films, starting with "Dr. No" in 1962. His last was "Never Say Never Again" in 1983. For the rest of the decade, the Scottish actor was seen in a variety of roles, whether it was a knight in "Sword of the Valiant," an Egyptian swordsman in "Highlander," or a cop disgusted with mob corruption in 1987's "The Untouchables" — the role for which he won an Oscar.
Cleary, Connery wasn't one to be typecast. In 1965, he told Playboy (via CNN), "This Bond image is a problem in a way and a bit of a bore, but one has just got to live with it." He added that he'd enjoyed success before playing Bond and would continue to afterward — and that was certainly true. Connery's last film before retiring from the industry was "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," released in 2003.