R.I.P. – Rutger Hauer Has Passed Away at 75!

Terrible news today as it’s being reported that veteran genre actor Rutger Hauer has passed away at 75. He died on July 19th in his native Netherlands and his funeral was held today.

It’s reported that he died after a long illness but what that illness is has not been specified as of now. I’m sure we’ll get more details as time passes.

Hauer was born January 23, 1944, in Breukelen in the Netherlands. He attended the Academy for Theater and Dance in Amsterdam before being drafted into the Royal Netherlands Army. He was part of an experimental theater troupe before being cast by Paul Verhoeven in the 1969 Dutch TV action drama Floris. His first American film was 1981’s thriller Nighthawks in which he played opposite Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams as the crazed villain.

But Hauer was best known by fans for his slew of sci-fi and horror genre roles starting with Blade Runner in 1982 and followed by such iconic roles as The Hitcher, Ladyhawke, Blind Fury, Split Second, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Salem’s Lot (TV Series), Sin City, Batman Begins, Dracula III: Legacy, Hobo with a Shotgun, True Blood (TV Series) and we can even include his portrayal of Van Helsing in Dario Argento’s abysmal Dracula 3D.

His performances didn’t end there, he appeared in nearly 200 films and TV shows during his storied career.

I have to say my favorite role of his and what I will remember Hauer the most for is his sadistic hitchhiker in 1986’s The Hitcher, love that film.

Hauer’s death is a true loss to the industry as he was an icon in every sense of the word. He will be greatly missed and he passed too soon.

All of us at Horror Patch would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Rutger Hauer’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.

Rutger Hauer

Born: January 23, 1944 – Died: July 19, 2019

May you rest in peace

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