May 20, 2022

Hello Fans,

Actor Fred Ward died Sunday, May 8th, at age 79. Ward's publicist confirmed the news to trades Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Indiewire on Friday.

Ward served in the U.S. Air Force and became an actor in the '70s. He was part of the Golden Globe Award-winning ensemble cast of 1994's Short Cuts.

With 89 credits, Ward had many memorable roles including that of astronaut Gus Grissom in the 1983 film The Right Stuff. In other biographies, Ward played author Henry Miller in Henry & June and prisoner John Anglin in Escape from Alcatraz.

Horror fans, me included, loved Ward as Earl Bassett, Kevin Bacon's partner in Tremors. Ward reprised the role in one of the film's many sequels, and a 2018 pilot that never went to series.

Ward played the title character in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, (A Must-See!) based on Richard Sapir's Destroyer novels. He played Lily Tomlin's love interest in Big Business, a bad guy in Naked Gun 33 1/3, chief of security for a movie studio in The Player, and David Spade's dad in Joe Dirt.

Ward's last role on screen was in Season 2 of True Detective. According to Indiewire, Ward spent his last years painting.

Ward is survived by his wife, Marie-France, and son, Django.

Today's issue is dedicate to Ward and all of the great work he did entertaining audiences over the years!

Take care,
Steve

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Fred Ward

Learn More About Fred Ward, see pictures, and much more on Celebrity Nooz

BORN: December 30, 1942 in San Diego, California, USA DIED: May 8, 2022 (age 79) in USA

BIRTH NAME: Freddie Joe Ward

CLAIM TO FAME: Fred Ward was an American actor and producer know for starring in a wide range of films like Escape from Alcatraz, The Right Stuff, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Tremors, Henry & June, The Player, and Short Cuts.

FAMILY LIFE: His first marriage, to Carla Evonne Stewart in 1965, ended in divorce the following year. His second marriage was to Silvia Ward, with whom he had a son, Django. After they divorced, he married Marie-France Boisselle in 1995 and she filed for divorce in August 2013, but they reconciled later that year.

INFO: He was part Cherokee.

Was the son of Juanita Iown (Flemister) and Fred Frazier Ward; parents separated when he was three. Mother remarried, to a man who worked in a carnival, and the family moved frequently.

Ward spent three years in the United States Air Force.

He was also a boxer; breaking his nose three times.

Worked as a lumberjack, a janitor, and a short-order cook.

He studied acting at New York's Herbert Berghof Studio after serving in the U.S. Air Force.

TRIVIA: While in Italy, he dubbed Italian movies and worked as a mime until he made his debut in two Roberto Rossellini films.

Upon returning stateside in the early 1970s, Ward spent time working in experimental theatre and doing some television work.

He made his first American film appearance playing a cowboy in Hearts of the West (1975).

His first major role came in the Clint Eastwood vehicle Escape from Alcatraz (1979) as fellow escapee John Anglin.

His first starring role was in a motion picture Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982).

In 1983, Ward starred as astronaut Gus Grissom in The Right Stuff.

Ward played the title hero in the action movie Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985), which was directed by Guy Hamilton. The film was supposed to be the first of a series based on The Destroyer series of novels. Though the movie was well promoted and he appeared on several movie magazine covers, it was not a box office hit. It is an awesome movie - please seek it out!

In 1990, Ward starred as Earl Bassett, with Kevin Bacon as Valentine McKee, in the cult classic monster movie Tremors - which is damn-near movie perfection! He later reprised the role of Earl in the direct-to-video sequel Tremors II: Aftershocks (1996).

After playing private detective H.P. Lovecraft in the 1991 HBO film Cast a Deadly Spell alongside Julianne Moore, Ward co-starred in the thriller Thunderheart, the Hollywood satire The Player, and the mystery-drama Equinox.

Ward played fisherman Stuart Kane in the Robert Altman film Short Cuts (1993); for which the whole ensemble won a Golden Globe and the Special Volpi Cup.

In 1994, Ward was nominated for a CableACE Award for Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries for the TV western-comedy Four Eyes and Six Guns.

Signed on for a TV pilot for the drama Georgetown with Helen Mirren, but the series was never made.

In 2001, Ward was nominated for a Video Premiere Award as the best male actor for the direct-to-video-production Full Disclosure.

Ward played Ronald Reagan in the French political thriller L'affaire Farewell (2009).

Everyone Smiles When They See It Watch This Short Video Here.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Ward passed away on May 8, 2022, at age 79; his family declined to cite a cause.

I've been a huge fan of Ward for years. From Thunderheart and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult to Road Trip and Joe Dirt. He was such a great actor and entertainer. He could be tough, funny, and kind, often at the same time.

His biggest impact on me was with two classic movies, technically three: Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Tremors and Tremors II: Aftershocks. With Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Ward played a somewhat reluctant hero that becomes a "blue-collar James Bond". It's his physicality and humorous relationship with his training and handler Chiun (Joel Grey), the Master of Sinanju, that made Ward standout to me. The sequence where he is pursued on the outside of the Statue of Liberty is tense, fun, and action-packed! You've got to see it to believe it!

But Ward's most endearing role was that of Earl Bassett, half of the handy-man duo along with Valentine McKee (Kevin Bacon), in the 1990 cult classic Tremors. I love this movie! It's pretty much a perfect movie that never gets old, is always funny, and it was one of those movies that my dad and I could watch and talk about for hours. Ward and Bacon are so good together. They seem like a couple of guys that you'd have a great time with whether you're drinking a few beers or battling underground worm-monsters. Ward is excellent as the older member of the pair trying desperately to offer some wisdom to Bacon's immature, impetuous Val. Their chemistry really makes the movie, but along with excellent writing, solid direction, interesting character and actors to play them, wondrous locations, and the monstrous Graboids, Tremors is a great time whether you're in the mood to laugh, scream, or be entertained by one of the best movies ever made!

Fred, thank you for all of the wonderful characters, hours of entertainment, and the all of great times watching and laughing. RIP Fred Ward!

CREDITS:

2015 True Detective (TV Series)...Eddie Velcoro
- Omega Station (2015) ... Eddie Velcoro
- Maybe Tomorrow (2015) ... Eddie Velcoro

2013 2 Guns...Admiral Tuwey

2012 Leverage (TV Series)...Steve Reynolds
- The D.B. Cooper Job (2012) ... Steve Reynolds

2011 30 Minutes or Less...The Major

2009-2010 United States of Tara (TV Series)...Frank
- From This Day Forward (2010) ... Frank
- Transition (2009) ... Frank

2010 In Plain Sight (TV Series)...Frank Jergens / Frank Jerome
- No Clemency for Old Men (2010) ... Frank Jergens / Frank Jerome

2009 Armored...Duncan Ashcroft

2009 The Wild Stallion...Frank

2009 Farewell...Reagan

2008 Management...Jerry

2008 Exit Speed...Sergeant Archie Sparks

2007 Feast of Love...Bat

2006-2007 ER (TV Series)...Eddie Wyczenski / Eddie
- A House Divided (2007) ... Eddie
- Tell Me No Secrets... (2006) ... Eddie Wyczenski
- Reason to Believe (2006) ... Eddie Wyczenski

2006 Grey's Anatomy (TV Series)...Denny Duquette, Sr.
- What I Am (2006) ... Denny Duquette, Sr.

2004 Funky Monkey...Don Decker

2004 The Last Ride (TV Movie)...Darryl Kurtz

2004 10.5 (TV Mini Series)...Roy Nolan, FEMA Director
- Episode #1.2 (2004) ... Roy Nolan, FEMA Director
- Episode #1.1 (2004) ... Roy Nolan, FEMA Director

2003 Coast to Coast (TV Movie)...Hal Kressler

2003 Masked and Anonymous...Drunk

2002 Georgetown (TV Movie)

2002 Sweet Home Alabama...Earl Smooter

2002 Birdseye...Nolan Sharpless

2002 Enough...Jupiter

2002 Abandon...Lieutenant Bill Stayton

2001 Dice (TV Mini Series)...Gacy / Noah Aldis
- Episode #1.6 (2001) ... Gacy / Noah Aldis
- Episode #1.5 (2001) ... Gacy / Noah Aldis
- Episode #1.4 (2001) ... Gacy / Noah Aldis
- Episode #1.3 (2001) ... Gacy / Noah Aldis
- Episode #1.2 (2001) ... Gacy / Noah Aldis
- Episode #1.1 (2001) ... Gacy / Noah Aldis

2001 Corky Romano...Leo Corrigan

2001 Summer Catch...Sean Dunne

2001 Wild Iris (TV Movie)...Errol Podubney

2001 Full Disclosure (Video)...John McWhirter

2001 Joe Dirt...Joe's Dad

2000 Filter: The Best Things (Music Video)...Cop

2000 Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (TV Movie)...John Vernon 'Black Jack' Bouvier III

2000 Red Team...Retired FBI agent

2000 Road Trip...Earl Edwards

2000 Circus...Elmo

2000 Ropewalk...Charlie's dad

2000 The Chaos Factor...Max Camden

2000 The Crow: Salvation...The Captain

1999 The Vivero Letter...Andrew Fallon

1998 Invasion Earth (TV Mini Series)...Maj. Gen. David Reece
- The Shatterer of Worlds (1998) ... Maj. Gen. David Reece
- The Battle More Costly (1998) ... Maj. Gen. David Reece
- The Fall of Man (1998) ... Maj. Gen. David Reece
- Only the Dead (1998) ... Maj. Gen. David Reece
- The Fourth Dimension (1998) ... Maj. Gen. David Reece
- The Last War (1998) ... Maj. Gen. David Reece

1998 Dangerous Beauty...Domenico Venier

1997 Best Men...Sheriff Phillips

1997 Gun (TV Series)...John Farragut
- Father John (1997) ... John Farragut

1997 ...First Do No Harm (TV Movie)...Dave Reimuller

1996 Chain Reaction...FBI Agent Leon Ford

1996 Tremors II: Aftershocks (Video)...Earl Bassett

1995 The Blue Villa...Frank

1994 Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult...Rocco

1993 Short Cuts...Stuart Kane

1993 Two Small Bodies...Lt. Brann

1992 Four Eyes and Six-Guns (TV Movie)...Wyatt Earp

1992 Bob Roberts...Chip Daley

1992 Equinox...Mr. Paris

1992 The Player...Walter Stuckel

1992 Thunderheart...Jack Milton

1991 The Dark Wind...Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn

1991 Cast a Deadly Spell (TV Movie)...Det. Harry Philip Lovecraft

1985-1991 American Playhouse (TV Series)...Mr. Crouch / Royal Earle Thompson
- Triple Play II (1991) ... Mr. Crouch
- Noon Wine (1985) ... Royal Earle Thompson

1990 Henry & June...Henry Miller / husband

1990 Miami Blues...Sgt. Hoke Moseley

1990 Catchfire...Pauling

1990 Tremors...Earl Bassett

1988 The Prince of Pennsylvania...Gary Marshetta

1988 Big Business...Roone Dimmick

1988 The Price of Life (Short)...Crouch

1988 Off Limits...Dix

1987 The Hitchhiker (TV Series)...Luthor Redmond
- Dead Heat (1987) ... Luthor Redmond

1986 Florida Straits (TV Movie)...Lucky Boone

1985 Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins...Remo Williams

1985 Secret Admirer...Lou Fimple

1984 UFOria...Sheldon Bart

1984 Swing Shift...Biscuits Toohey

1983 Uncommon Valor...Wilkes

1983 Silkwood...Morgan

1983 The Right Stuff...Gus Grissom

1982 Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann...Lyle Swann

1981 Southern Comfort...Reece

1980 Carny...Jack

1980 Belle Starr (TV Movie)...Ned Christie

1979 Cardiac Arrest...Jamie

1979 The Incredible Hulk (TV Series)...Marvin / Lynch's Henchman
- Jake (1979) ... Marvin
- The Disciple (1979) ... Lynch's Henchman

1979 Escape from Alcatraz...John Anglin

1979 Tilt...Lenny

1978 Quincy M.E. (TV Series)...Hostage Taker
- Even Odds (1978) ... Hostage Taker (uncredited)

1975 Hearts of the West...Sam (uncredited)

1974 Ginger in the Morning...Truck Driver

1974 Cartesius (TV Movie)

1973 The Age of the Medici (TV Mini Series)...Niccolò de' Conti
- Il potere di Cosimo (1973) ... Niccolò de' Conti

Learn More About Fred Ward, see pictures, and much more on Celebrity Nooz