Oscar-nominated actor Frederic Forrest has passed away at the age of 86. The actor died peacefully at his residence in Santa Monica on June 23rd after a prolonged illness. The news was confirmed by Forrest’s friend and actor Barry Primus.
Forrest had a four-decade-long career and appeared in several films in supporting roles. He shot to fame with his roles in The Rose (1979) and Apocalypse Now (1979). Read on to know more about his life and career.
Actor Frederic Forrest Dies at 86
Forrest’s The Rose co-star Bette Midler took to Twitter to announce the sad news and wrote, “The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died. Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”
The actor had been battling an unknown illness for a long time. For the past six months, he was under home care. His family even launched a GoFundMe campaign in September to cover his healthcare expenses.
Born in December 1936 in Texas, Forrest started his acting career in 1966 with the off-Broadway production of Viet Rock. He eventually ventured into films and appeared in small uncredited roles before making his big debut with 1972’s When The Legends Die. For the film, the actor also received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year.
Forrest Shot to Fame with The Rose and Apocalypse Now in 1979
After portraying character roles in various films and television shows, Forrest had a breakthrough in 1979 when two of his films worked wonders at the box office. He played Jay “Chef” Hicks in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. The war film got him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the National Society of Film Critics Award.
He then starred opposite Bette Midler in The Rose, playing her love interest, and ended up receiving an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Forrest also appeared in several other films, including It Lives Again (1978), Valley Girl (1983), The Stone Boy (1984), Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988), The Two Jakes (1990), Point Blank (1998) and The Quality of Light (2003). His last film appearance was in the 2006 Sean Penn starrer All the King’s Men.
Social Media Pays Tributes
Ever since the news of Forrest’s death surfaced, several fans have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tributes to the late actor. “I’ll never forget his turn as the terrifying Blue Duck on the wonderful series Lonesome Dove. He dominated his scenes. May he rest in peace,” wrote a fan.
Another tweeted, “Farewell sad eyed FREDERIC FORREST. Soulful, tough, & tender, he’s best remembered for his performance as the high-strung Chef Hicks in APOCALYPSE NOW and for his Oscar-nominated turn as the AWOL army sergeant who captured Bette Midler’s heart in THE ROSE. #RIP”
“The most underrated member of Coppola’s repertory players, and the only Texan to portray a believable Louisianan. Also banged as Capt. Jenko, the original man in charge of Jump Street Chappell the first few episodes. Rest In Peace, Frederic Forrest,” penned another fan.
Our condolences to Frederic Forrest’s family and friends. May his soul rest in peace!
