George Kennedy is best known for his roles as the tough guy in films, such as “Charade”; in 1963 and “Thunderbolt & Lightfoot”; in 1974. He won an Oscar for his supporting role in “Cool Hand Luke”; in 1967, which led him to star in other iconic films, like all three “Naked Gun”; movies, “Airport 1975″, “Earthquake”; and many, many more.
He also acted alongside Frank Sinatra in “Dirty Dingus Magee”;, Joan Crawford in “Strait-Jacket”; and Clint Eastwood in “The Eiger Sanction”;.
Related: Looking Back At Alan Rickman’s Career
This past Oscars Sunday, Kennedy’s grandson Cory Schenkel announced on Facebook that the actor had died that morning in Boise, Idaho. He was 91.
Schenkel claimed that his grandfather had been failing in health ever since his wife died last September.
More recently, the 6-foot-4 New York actor appeared in films “Another Happy Day”; in 2011 and “The Gambler”; along with Mark Wahlberg in 2014.
Stars are paying tribute on social media:
R.I.P. George Kennedy. Lucky enough to work with him in Modern Romance. Great guy.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) February 29, 2016
Rest in peace – friend. I miss you. George Kennedy pic.twitter.com/OZ7Rqh7bp6
— Bo Derek (@boderek) February 29, 2016
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George Kennedy had his own tv series (and many important roles). Not “character actor”; George Kennedy. The GREAT George Kennedy.
— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) February 29, 2016
RIP George Kennedy, 52 yrs ago, will celebrated together our oscars. You brought such joy to all your audiences. Love and prayers
— Patty Duke (@pattyduke_id) February 29, 2016
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