‘Apocalypse Now’ star dies at 86.

Actor Frederic Forrest Passes Away at 86

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of actor Frederic Forrest at the age of 86.

Forrest is best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Jay “Chef” Hicks in Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic war film, Apocalypse Now.

According to his close friend and fellow actor Barry Primus, Forrest passed away on Friday at his home in Santa Monica, California, after battling a long illness.

A GoFundMe campaign was previously set up in September to assist with Forrest’s caregiving expenses. The campaign successfully raised over $57,000 before it was closed.

Forrest’s talent was recognized with an Academy Award nomination for his role in the 1979 film, “The Rose,” alongside acclaimed actress Bette Midler.

Originally intended as a biopic about rock star Janis Joplin, “The Rose” was fictionalized due to the family’s refusal to grant the rights to her story. In the film, Forrest portrayed limousine driver Huston Dyer and became a love interest for Midler’s character.

Midler took to Twitter to express her grief over Forrest’s passing:

The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died. Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 24, 2023

Middler tweeted, “The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died. Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”

Fans of the actor also took to Twitter to express their sadness:

R.I.P. Frederic Forrest, a terrific actor who could believably play Bette Midler’s love interest, a sweet hippie dad, and a vile Neo-Nazi. Coppola understood his malleability better than anyone, giving him the most crucial and ambiguous line in The Conversation. pic.twitter.com/8JQ6b4xvlU

— William Friedkin Truths (@LazlosGhost) June 24, 2023

One Twitter user wrote, “I’ll never forget his turn as the terrifying Blue Duck on the wonderful series Lonesome Dove. He dominated his scenes. May he rest in peace.”

Forrest’s talent was also recognized with a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year for his performance in the 1972 film, “When the Legends Die,” where he portrayed Tom Black Bull.

His last major role was in the 2016 film, “All the King’s Men,” where he played the father of actor Sean Penn’s character.

Although he was often cast in supporting roles, Forrest appeared in three other Coppola films — “The Conversation,” “One from the Heart,” and “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.”

Frederic Forrest is survived by his sister.

The post ‘Apocalypse Now’ Actor Dead at 86 appeared first on The Western Journal.

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