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[R.I.P.] ‘The Hitcher’ and ‘Blade Runner’ Actor Rutger Hauer Has Died
We’ve just learned the incredibly sad news this afternoon that acting legend Rutger Hauer passed away over the weekend at the age of 75 after a short illness.
One of the Golden Globe-winning Dutch actor’s most notable roles was of course in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, where he memorably played the replicant Roy Batty. Here in the horror world, Hauer played the villainous John Ryder in 1986’s The Hitcher, another iconic role, and he later played Kurt Barlow in the 2004 adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot.
Rutger Hauer also starred in Sin City as Cardinal Roark, as well as Batman Begins, Dracula III: Legacy, Hobo With a Shotgun, Dracula 3D, “True Blood” and “Channel Zero: Butcher’s Block.”
Variety‘s obituary notes that Hauer “is survived by his second wife of 50 years, Ineke ten Cate, and a daughter, actress Aysha Hauer, from his marriage to Heidi Merz.”
What’s your favorite Rutger Hauer performance? Many of Hauer’s more memorable roles saw him playing villains, but I’ve always loved his performance in Hobo With a Shotgun. It’s a gory grindhouse throwback at the end of the day, but Hauer really elevates it with his heartbreaking work as the title character. As he always did, Hauer brought his A-game to that one.
Share your favorite performances below.
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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