‘First Blood’ Actor Brian Dennehy Has Died at 81 (VIDEO)
Brian Dennehy, whose diverse career won him two Tony Awards and a Golden Globe, has died at the age of 81.
Dennehy died in New Haven, CT, with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Cormac, at his side. A statement said he died of natural causes on Wednesday.
Dennehy’s career spanned over 50 years and included roles on the stage, movie screen, and television. He may be best remembered as the hard-nosed Sheriff Teasle in the action classic First Blood with Sylvester Stallone, the first Rambo film.
He also starred as Big Tom in the 1995 Chris Farley film Tommy Boy. His other movie roles included Silverado, FX, Cocoon, Romeo + Juliet, Righteous Kill, and The Next Three Days.
The New York Times details his long list of honors.
Over his five-decade career, Mr. Dennehy won two Tony Awards. His first came in 1999 for best actor in “Death of a Salesman” and he earned his second in 2003 for best actor in Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey into Night.” Mr. Dennehy also received a Laurence Olivier Award, a Golden Globe and a SAG Award, and he received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He was also inducted into American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2011.
The former Marine drove a meat truck, which he said later was perfect training for his future career as an actor. He got his first role as a football player in the movie Semi-Tough.
This memoriam video was posted by Mooch TV.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer Arnott and their daughters, Elizabeth, Kathleen and Deirdre; as well as their grandchildren.
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