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Bill Paxton Dies At 61 & Hollywood Reacts


Bill Paxton has (sadly) passed away at age 61 due to complications from surgery.

"It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery," the actor's family said in a statement released today, the day of the 89th Academy Awards. "A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker. Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable."

Regarded by many as one of the nicest person one could ever meet, Paxton's career is tightly connected to James Cameron, who he met while they were building sets for Roger Corman's low-budget films. The two bonded, and when it came time for Cameron to direct his first true project, The Terminator (1984), he offered his close friend a bit part in the film. After that, the two collaborated on various other projects including Aliens (1986), True Lies (1994), Titanic (1997), and the documentary Ghosts of the Abyss (2003).

"I've been reeling from this for the past half hour, trying to wrap my mind and heart around it." Cameron said in a statement sent to Variety. "Bill leaves such a void. He and I were close friends for 36 years, since we met on the set of a Roger Corman ultra-low budget movie. He came in to work on set, and I slapped a paint brush in his hand and pointed to a wall, saying "Paint that!" We quickly recognized the creative spark in each other and became fast friends. What followed was 36 years of making films together, helping develop each others projects, going on scuba diving trips together, watching each others kids growing up, even diving the Titanic wreck together in Russian subs. It was a friendship of laughter, adventure, love of cinema, and mutual respect. Bill wrote beautiful heartfelt and thoughtful letters, an anachronism in this age of digital shorthand. He took good care of his relationships with people, always caring and present for others. He was a good man, a great actor, and a creative dynamo. I hope that amid the gaudy din of Oscar night, people will take a moment to remember this wonderful man, not just for all the hours of joy he brought to us with his vivid screen presence, but for the great human that he was.

The world is a lesser place for his passing, and I will profoundly miss him."

Cameron's kind and heartfelt words and feelings have been echoed throughout the industry, and many have spoken about the talented actor and his gentle and funny soul.


















Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1955, Paxton's vast career also include Predator 2 (1990), Tombstone (1993), Apollo 13 (1995), Twister (1996), A Simple Plan (1998), U-571 (2000), Big Love (2006-2011), Hatfields & McCoys (2012), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Nightcrawler (2014), and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-). The actor was also a writer, director and producer.

Throughout his career, the actor received nominations for several film and television awards including three best actor nominations for Big Love, and best actor Emmy nomination for Hatfields & McCoys.

Most recently, Paxton was starring in the CBS series Training Day, which takes place fifteen years before the events of Antoine Fuqua's 2001 feature film of the same name starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke.

"We are truly devastated at the passing of our friend Bill Paxton," said Training Day producer Jerry Bruckheimer. "He was a tremendously talented actor, and a wonderful man beloved by the entire cast and crew. Bill’s extraordinary body of work ensures that he will never be forgotten."

Added CBS and Warner Bros. TV, which produces the show: "We are shocked and deeply saddened this morning by the news of Bill Paxton's passing. Bill was, of course, a gifted and popular actor with so many memorable roles on film and television. His colleagues at CBS and Warner Bros. Television will also remember a guy who lit up every room with infectious charm, energy and warmth and as a great storyteller who loved to share entertaining anecdotes and stories about his work."

On the film side of things, Paxton recently worked on The Circle, a sci-fi thriller directed by James Ponsoldt ("The Spectacular Now") based on a novel by Dave Eggers. In the film, the actor plays the father of Emma Watson's lead character. The Circle also stars Tom Hanks, Karen Gillan, John Boyega, and Patton Oswalt.

To Paxton's family and friends our deep condolences.
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