‘Blade Runner’ co-star and memorable bad guy, Rutger Hauer passes away at 75
Hollywood actor Rutger Hauer who is best known for his role in Blade Runner, has passed away after a brief illness at the age of 75-years.
An AIDS charity with which the actor was associated, the Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation, said he died peacefully at his Dutch home on July 19th. The charity also said that his wife, Ineke, will carry on its work.
According to the Dutch media, Hauer was buried at a private ceremony and his family was not immediately available for comment.
The much-admired Dutch actor got his first break in 1969 when he was cast in a historical Dutch television series called “Floris” directed by the then little known Paul Verhoeven.
Talking about Hauer’s death, Verhoeven told the Dutch ANP news wire that, “I have lost my alter ego. “I am extremely sad that he’s not with us anymore. I am going to miss him terribly”.
He first came to the attention of US audiences when Hauer was teamed up with Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone in the 1981 thriller “Nighthawks”.
His performance in 1982’s Blade Runner was by far his most famous role of a murderous synthetic human, or replicant, named Roy Batty, which made him one of Hollywood’s film icons.
He frequently appeared in period pieces, subsequently playing an accursed knight opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in the movie “Ladyhawke,” and a villainous rogue in the medieval drama “Flesh + Blood.”
Hauer was also well known for horror and vampire roles, starring as Van Helsing in Dracula 3D, and as the vampire Barlow in Salem’s Lot, 2004 miniseries of the Stephen King novel.
He also appeared in parts of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Sin City” and “Batman Begins,” in which he played the corrupt executive running Bruce Wayne’s family business.
Filmmakers, actors, and fans pay their tributes to Hauer on social media:
Ah damn.
Goodbye to the great Rutger Hauer. pic.twitter.com/Fcl0YQ6DaQ— Mike Mignola (@artofmmignola) July 24, 2019
RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films. My personal favorites: Flesh + Blood, Eureka, The Hitcher, Blade Runner, Ladyhawke and Blind Fury. pic.twitter.com/1F2Via3mLY
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 24, 2019
I would like to offer my most profound condolences to the dearest friends and family of Rutger. God’s Speed on Angel’s Wings my friend. We are more for knowing and loving you. Rest In Peace Rutger Hauer. pic.twitter.com/T4USvbHafE
— Sharon Stone (@sharonstone) July 25, 2019
GOD BLESS RUTGER HAUER HE BLADE RUNNER ABOUT FAKE MAN BUT HEART REAL & HAVE LOTS OF THE LOVE WITH REAL LADY & HOT ROBOT DARYL HANNAH MADE HER FISH TAIL HUMBLE. HE NEVER FAKE LIKE ERICA THOMAS & JUSSIE SMOLLETT WHO JABRONI RUNNERS THEY BOTH GO FUCK THEMSELVES FOREVER
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) July 25, 2019
One of the biggest highlights of my career was working with Rutger Hauer on Sin City. A truly commanding presence in front of the camera but also a consummate storyteller with a passion for mentorship and creating opportunities for new filmmakers. A remarkable generous spirit. pic.twitter.com/p9YKNj37ft
— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) July 25, 2019
One of my favorite actors ever, Rutger Hauer, has passed away. pic.twitter.com/XxivZcCGiG
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) July 25, 2019
So sad to hear of Rutger Hauer’s passing. Working with this gentleman was a career highlight when we co-starred together in the 1981 movie #Nighthawks.
Sending my condolences to all that he touched in his lifetime.#RIPRutgerHauer pic.twitter.com/5tqIgj9cID
— Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) July 24, 2019
Flesh & Blood, 1984. Me & Rutger Hauer. RIP x💔 pic.twitter.com/83F0UGQIq3
— Jake Wood (@mrjakedwood) July 25, 2019
Sad to hear of the passing of Rutger Hauer. What a force and a genuinely kind man, though a great villain! I enjoyed working with him. #tenthkingdom pic.twitter.com/30e5aNih6c
— Kim Williams-Paisley (@Kimwilliamspais) July 24, 2019
I am incredibly heartbroken to learn it was your time to leave us Rutger. Your mastery of every role you ever played will always be cherished. We all will miss you very very much. RIP my old friend ❤️🙏🏼 #RutgerHauer #BuffyTheVampireSlayer pic.twitter.com/IaUvLfkilK
— Kristy Swanson (@KristySwansonXO) July 24, 2019
Rutger Hauer.
I spent several months in the outback of Australia with him.
He was a true sweetheart of a man.
We did a film together, I was very young called Salute of the Jugger/The blood of heroes.
I'll never forget the Dutch films and BLADE RUNNER. He'll always stay with me. pic.twitter.com/VTCk0QHEnV— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) July 24, 2019
I fought #RutgerHauer on ice ! Not many people can say that . Vale Rutger- terrific sceen actor and completely marvellous villain . #Merlin pic.twitter.com/cgZSrAVpot
— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) July 25, 2019
R.I.P. Rutger Hauer, who has passed away at the age of 75. pic.twitter.com/Lzkxymp9UF
— The Film Stage 📽 (@TheFilmStage) July 24, 2019
Goodbye #RutgerHauer we will miss you. pic.twitter.com/TBGcAbGCAu
— capitan freedom (@FreedomCapitan) July 25, 2019
A legendary actor and icon of cyberpunk — rest in peace, Rutger Hauer. pic.twitter.com/cGMObaUzuD
— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) July 25, 2019
Rutger Hauer was one of my favourite actors
Wanted Dead or Alive 1986 is so awesome he plays an awesome ex cia agent turned Bounty HunterLove this quote from @BrentSpiner about Rutger pic.twitter.com/ZKadkzvFmF
— Dave G (@attitudemilo) July 24, 2019
