Dave Legeno, the British actor best known for playing the werewolf Fenrir Greyback in the Harry Potter series, died while hiking through California’s Death Valley. His body was discovered on Sunday by two hikers and flown out of the area by helicopter. He was 50 years old.
“The Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch received notification on Sunday [July 6] at approximately 7:00 a.m. that remains had been discovered in a remote wash below Manly Beacon, west of Zabriskie Point in Death Valley,”; the sheriff’s office said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
“The reporting party was part of an unrelated two-person hiking group. Due to the remote area, California Highway Patrol helicopter H-82 out of Apple Valley was utilized to insert an Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputy, and also provided transportation of the body,”; the statement continued. “The remains have been identified as David Legeno, a 50-year old United Kingdom man. It appears that Legeno died of heat related issues, but the Inyo County Coroner will determine the final cause of death. There are no signs of foul play.”;
Death Valley holds the record for hottest air temperature ever recorded (57 °C on July 10, 1913). The average daily high in July is 46.9°C.
In addition to starring in Harry Potter, Legeno also had supporting roles in Snatch and Batman Begins. But acting was only a part-time job for Legeno. At the age of 42, he embarked upon a second career as an MMA fighter, winning four matches and losing three.
He is survived by a daughter, who is in her 20s.
