Fred Ward

Freddie Joe Ward (December 30, 1942 – May 8, 2022) was an American character actor with a rich tapestry of work across several decades. His first role began in an Italian television movie in 1973, which led to appearances in a myriad of films such as 'Escape from Alcatraz', 'Southern Comfort', 'The Right Stuff', 'Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins', 'Tremors', and 'The Player' among others.

Born in San Diego, Ward had Cherokee heritage and had a tumultuous childhood marked by an alcoholic father and a mother who left him at three years old. Before embarking on his acting career, Ward served in the United States Air Force, worked as a boxer, a lumberjack in Alaska, a janitor, and a short-order cook. He studied acting at New York's Herbert Berghof Studio and found himself in Rome dubbing Italian movies into English, and appearing in films by neorealist director Roberto Rossellini. He started his career in experimental theatre and television work in the 1970s, and his first major role came in 'Escape from Alcatraz'. Over the years, he delivered memorable performances in well-known movies and even produced the film 'Miami Blues' among others. In 1993, he was part of the ensemble that won a Golden Globe for 'Short Cuts'. Ward later died on May 8, 2022, at the age of 79.