Posted on 02/29/2016 3:54:29 PM PST by US Navy Vet
LOS ANGELES – George Kennedy, the hulking, tough-guy character actor who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a savage chain-gang convict in the 1960s classic "Cool Hand Luke," has died.
His grandson Cory Schenkel says Kennedy died on Sunday morning of old age in Boise, Idaho. He was 91.
He had undergone emergency triple bypass surgery in 2002. That same year, he and his late wife moved to Idaho to be closer to their daughter and her family, though he still was involved in occasional film projects.
His biggest acting achievement came in "Cool Hand Luke," a 1967 film about a rebellious war hero played by Paul Newman who is bent on bucking the system as a prisoner on a Southern chain gang. Its theme of rebelling against authority and the establishment helped make it one of the most important films of the tumultuous 1960s.
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Awww, I thought he was awesome. RIP.
RIP
He, like Leslie Neilson, had a lot of fun in the latter part of his career.
Very sad. He was a great actor. Loved him best in Cool Hand Luke
Absolutely agree! I also like him in Cool Hand Luke.
Great actor. One would be absolutely engrossed in his acting skills from a cowboy, to a con it to a bounty hunter , I loved hating him. Rest in the hands of the Lord
I remember him doing 1 off shots on Bonanza and other 50-60s westerns. Then the airport movies. Finally the Naked Gun series (Better outcome for him then OJ got).
He lived a long, long life. Which means he was probably well grounded in his private life, not needing Hollywood’s affirmation for every glimmer of self worth. Reads he was married over 35 years to Jeanne. He is quoted in his autobiography “Trust Me; A Memoir” on the Hollywood of today; “It is their turn. My turn is over and that’s fine. It was fun. I loved what I did.”
I liked him in “Airport”.
Yes, it is sad.
He was a mean mother in the great 70s movie Thunderbolt & Lightfoot.
Boy you had to hate him in that one.
He always brought the goods, Mr. Kennedy did.
Great actor. I loved him in the Airport movies from the 70’s.
Name a TV series in the 60s and he was probably in it. Enjoyed him in Cool Hand Luke and Airport series. He had good roles also in The Dirty Dozen and Flight of the Pheonix.
He also played a policeman knicknamed “Thumper” in either a movie or TV show. Cool actor. Will be missed.
Loved George Kennedy......one of the last of the best actors ever! RIP Mr. Kennedy and thanks for the memories.........;{
I think he was in Earthquake too.
Very friendly men as I recall.
I believe Bill Holden played “Thumper” Morgan.
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