Actor Fred Ward dies. He had the right stuff in movies from 'Tremors' to 'The Player'

Actor Fred Ward has died, according to his publicist, Ron Hofmann

The star, who brought gentlemanly gruffness to films that included The Right Stuff, Henry and June

The Player died Sunday, May 8 at the age of 79. No cause of death was given.

Ward brought reservoirs of tenderness to his tough guy roles, and plenty of street credibility.

A former boxer, lumberjack and short-order cook who served in the U.S. Air Force

Ward went to acting school and got his start when he moved to Rome as a young man and worked as a mime, then a voice-over actor

"The unique thing about Fred Ward is that you never knew where he was going to pop up, so unpredictable were his career choices

Ward is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marie-France Ward and his son Django Ward

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