By Mark Kennedy, Associated Press:
Brian Dennehy, the burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later won plaudits for his stage work in plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Eugene O’Neill and Arthur Miller, has died. Dennehy was 81.
The actor’s representative says Dennehy died Wednesday night of natural causes in New Haven, Connecticut.
Known for his broad frame, booming voice and ability to play good guys and bad guys with equal aplomb, Dennehy won two Tony Awards, a Golden Globe and was nominated for six Emmys. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2010.
Among his 40-odd films, he played a sheriff who jailed Rambo in “First Blood,” a serial killer in “To Catch a Killer,” and a corrupt sheriff gunned down by Kevin Kline in “Silverado.” He also had some benign roles: the bartender who consoles Dudley Moore in “10” and the levelheaded leader of aliens in “Cocoon” and its sequel.
[ photo: 04/05/2011 – Brian Dennehy – “Arthur” New York City Premiere – Outside Arrivals – Ziegfeld Theater – New York City, NY, USA – Photo Credit: Charles Norfleet / PR Photos ]
