One of my favorite actors has passed away. Rutger Hauer died on the 19th of July at his home in the Netherlands after a short illness. He was 75. News of his death was only released today.
Rutger was one of the most versatile actors in the world, and lit up the screen in many a movie that I loved, particularly in the 80’s. But he continued to work, appearing as the scheming CEO of Wayne Enterprise in “Batman Begins” a few years back, and recently in “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”, and the comedy “The Sisters Brothers” last year.
But for me, it was about his role in 80’s movies like “Blade Runner”, “Ladyhawke”, “Wanted Dead or Alive”, his turn as a terrorist against Sylvester Stallone in “Night Hawks”, and more. As a Good Guy he brought humanity and vulnerability to his characters, and carried that into his villainous roles in movies like “The Hitcher, “Blade Runner” and the original “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.
That death scene at the end of Blade Runner is considered one of the greatest of all time.
Then came some delicious Grindhouse Style B-Movies like “Blind Fury” (in which he played a blind veteran who knew martial arts – hilarity ensures) and the Dartmouth filmed “Hobo With a Shotgun”. Then there was the Nova Scotia filmed TV Show “Lexx” – a show with local connections.
I know that tonight when I get home I’ll be throwing on my copy of “Ladyhawke”. Rest easy, Rutger. Thanks for the memories.
