Actor and filmmaker Bill Paxton died at the age of 61, a his family said in a statement on Sunday. Paxton, who acted in films such as Twister and Weird Science, suffered complications from heart surgery, his family said, according to The Guardian.
“Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable,” the statement said. “We ask to please respect the family’s wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their adored husband and father.”
Paxton’s first notable role came in The Terminator (1984). He became known for acting in science-fiction films, including Weird Science (1985), Aliens (1986) and Near Dark (1987). Paxton’s Terminator co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger said he could “play any role”. “But he was best at being Bill – a great human being with a huge heart.”
Paxton, who also acted in several television roles, was also part of several hits in the 1990s and 2010s, including Apollo 13 (1995), Twister (1996) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014). Several of his co-stars and colleagues paid their tributes to him, with his Twister co-lead Helen Hunt saying he “acted his heart out”. He also directed films such as Frailty (2001) and The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005).
Actor Rob Lowe said he was “devastated” by the “sudden loss of my close friend and one of the finest actors in the business”. Other actors and filmmakers including Elijah Wood, Edgar Wright and William Shatner paid their tributes to Paxton.
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