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.
