We are very sad to report that according to The Guardian, on September 15, 2017, acclaimed character actor Harry Dean Stanton died of natural causes at the age of 91.

Harry Dean Stanton’s body of work is quite impressive and extensive. He has starred in such films as Marvel’s The Avengers (2012), Seven Psychopaths (2012), Rango (2011), Anger Management (2003), The Green Mile (1999), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Repo Man (1984), Alien (1979), and The Godfather: Part II (1974).

Notable television show appearances include: Twin Peaks (2017), Big Love (2006-11), Two and a Half Men (2003-15), Chuck (2007-12), The Jim Henson Hour (1989-93), Mary Hartman Mary Hartman (1976-77), Petticoat Junction (1963-70), Gunsmoke (1955-75), Mannix (1967-75), The Virginian (1962-71), Rawhide (1959-65), and The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68). 

Other notable film credits include: Pretty in Pink (1986), You Me and Dupree (2006), The Good Life (2007), Paris Texas (1984), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), and Disney’s One Magic Christmas (1985), in a role that deserves more attention where Stanton plays a harmonica-playing Christmas angel named Gideon in a subtle but very heartwarming performance. Maybe one of his best.

This is even more shocking news considering the fact that his next movie, Lucky (2017), with him in the title role, is hitting theaters less than two weeks from now on September 29th. Lucky centers on a ninety-year-old atheist’s spiritual journey, and the film is already garnering some Oscar buzz for Harry Dean Stanton, which at this point could still be awarded posthumously come awards night, and would be his first ever Academy Award nomination. Variety calls out Stanton, saying he gives, “the performance of a lifetime.”

While Lucky is just around the corner, Harry Dean Stanton also just finished an episode run as Carl Rodd in the Twin Peaks television series on August 20th. According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), his last role will be as Sheriff Lloyd in the film Frank and Ava (2017), which is currently in post-production but has a release year of 2017.

With a directorial debut by John Carroll Lynch (star of such films as Shutter Island (2010) and Gran Torino (2008), and the American Horror Story (2011-) television series), Lucky will star Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch (Oscar-nominated director, but star of such things as The Cleveland Show (2009-13)), Ron Livingston (Office Space (1999)), Tom Skerritt (Top Gun (1986)), and Ed Begley, Jr. (Pineapple Express (2008)), and hits theaters on September 29, 2017.

Rest in peace, Harry Dean Stanton. Thank you for so many years of authentic entertainment that was sometimes funny, and sometimes touching. You made even the smallest roles memorable.