Acclaimed actor of stage and screen Rutger Hauer passed away on July 19, 2019 at the age of 75. The death was confirmed by his agent on July 24, the day of his funeral. The actor died in the Netherlands after a short bout of illness, though the exact cause has not been released yet.
Hauer was known best for this role of Roy Batty in the iconic Bladerunner, playing the film’s main antagonist with that fantastic monologue, now entitled “Tears in Rain”. But perhaps even more impressive is that Hauer rewrote the lines himself.
But Hauer had a long and prolific career outside of the sci-fi classic. The Dutch actor was in films like Hobo with a Shotgun, Batman Begins, Sin City, Ladyhawke, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and The Hitcher. He is also known for his TV roles on Galavant, True Blood, and Channel Zero. And, believe it or not, he played Master Xehanort in Kingdom Hearts III, picking up the role after Leonard Nimoy passed away.
Colleagues and fans mourn the passing of this intense and dedicated actor:
RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films. My personal favorites: Flesh + Blood, Eureka, The Hitcher, Blade Runner, Ladyhawke and Blind Fury. pic.twitter.com/1F2Via3mLY
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 24, 2019
Sad to hear Rutger Hauer has passed away. He was always a gentleman, kind and compassionate. Sending our condolences and prayers to his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/wFtZJs9Ui5
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) July 24, 2019
Many of Rutger Hauer's more memorable roles saw him playing villains, but I've always really loved his performance in Hobo With a Shotgun. It's a gory grindhouse throwback at the end of the day, but Hauer really elevates it with his heartbreaking work as the title character. pic.twitter.com/7Yyl336Tw8
— John Squires 🎃 (@FreddyInSpace) July 24, 2019
Words can never fully express how much I loved LADYHAWKE growing up. It was one of the first movies I obsessed over, and because of that, for a time, to me Rutger Hauer was the biggest star in the world. We lost a great actor today. I lost my childhood knight. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/k5Wel9ULmj
— Michael Varrati (@MichaelVarrati) July 24, 2019
Rutger Hauer died just four months before the replicant Roy Batty dies in Blade Runner.
RIP pic.twitter.com/FEfbMxJls0
— 𝕛𝕚𝕞𝕞𝕪𝕠 🧂™️ (@jimmyotx) July 24, 2019
Gutted to learn of Rutger Hauer's passing. Gone at 75, yet immortal, thanks to all the mad, wonderful movies he left us with.
"Good guy or bad guy, hero or anti hero; It doesn't matter to me what role I play, as long as the character has something magical." pic.twitter.com/Qlcxu4Td9s— Marshall Julius 🎄 (@MarshallJulius) July 24, 2019
Hauer is survived by his wife Ineke ten Cate, and daughter Aysha Hauer.
