Harry Dean Stantonpassed away yesterday at the age of 91 and Hollywood has taken to social media to pay tribute to the screen legend who starred inAlien,Twin Peaksand everything in between. According toTMZ, the actor passed away peacefully at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Stanton’s career spanned more than 6 decades in numerous television and movie projects and he was also a Navy veteran of World War II.
Harry Dean Stantonwas born in Irvine, Kentucky and raised with a musical background while attending Lafayette High School and the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Stanton sings, plays guitar, and plays the harmonica. After performing theater in college, Stanton said that he had to choose between being an actor and a musician while also mentioning that he could have been a writer as well after studying journalism. He was convinced to get into acting and the rest is history. Stanton appeared in indie and cult favorites all the way up to big time Hollywood movies and was one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood history.
Stanton was known to audiences for an incredible number of roles, including appearances inRepo Man,The Godfather Part II,Escape from New York,Pretty in Pink,The Last Temptation of Christ,Alien,The Green Mile, andParis, Texas, as well as roles on HBO’sBig LoveandGetting On. Stanton most recently appeared inDavid Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return. Lynch and Stanton were close friends and frequent collaborators and Lynch wrote a touching tribute to his friend via the Showtime Twitter account. Lynch had this to say.
“The greatHarry Dean Stanton has left us. There went a great one. There’s nobody like Harry Dean. Everyone loved him. And with good reason. He was a great actor (actually beyond great) - and a great human being - so great to be around him!!!! You are really going to be missed Harry Dean!!! Loads of love to wherever you are now!!!”
Stanton appeared in Lynch’s 1990 movieWild at Heartand in 1992’sTwin Peaks: A Fire Walk With Me, although he was not in the originalTwin Peaksseries that aired from 1990 to 1991 on ABC. Stanton also had role in Lynch’s 1999’sThe Straight Storyand 2006’sInland Empire.
20th Century Fox simply tweeted: “Rest in Peace, Harry Dean Stanton,” while Jon Cryer who starred with Stanton inPretty in Pinksaid, “Was an honor, man.” Edward James Almos took to Twitter to say, “Harry Dean you gave us so much truth on and off camera Thank you for living a full life! You are a great artist.“Baby Driverdirector, Edgar Wright said, “RIP to the legendary Harry Dean Stanton. Impossible to cover his legacy in brief but here’s a few favs:Alien,Paris Texas,Repo Man.”
Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers called Harry Dean Stanton “the quintessential actor… the coolest dude in the room” and director Chris Miller said, “RIP Harry Dean Stanton, who lived quite a life. Because the life of aRepo Manis always intense.” Joss Whedon also took to Twitter to say, “Never a dull moment. Can’t imagine telling him to rest.” Harry Dean Stanton was one of the best and he will be remembered for ever. RIP Harry Dean Stanton.
