Blade Runner actor Rutger Hauer passed away, aged 75

Blade Runner actor Rutger Hauer also known for his vampire roles in movies like Dracula 3D breathed his last on July 19. The ace  actor,75, passed away in the Netherlands after a short illness.

The news of his sad demise was given by his agent, Steve Kenis,  who informed that a funeral was held on July 24. 
He is survived by his second wife of 50 years, Ineke ten Cate, and a daughter, actress Aysha Hauer, from his marriage to Heidi Merz.
His most cherished role till date was the one in Balde Runner where he shared the screen space with Harrison Ford. The movie was directed by Ridley Scott and is loved even today. 

Check out tweet by Shape of Water director Guillermo del Toro

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

 

Rutger's most memorable  performance came in a film that was a resounding flop initially  at its release where he portrayed the murderous yet soulful Roy Batty, leader of a gang of outlaws, opposite Harrison Ford in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi noir opus 'Blade Runner'

Rutger was well known for his vampire roles in movies like Dracula 3D, and Salem's lot - a 2004 mini-series of the Stephen King novel. He received Golden Globe nominations for his performances as the leader of a concentration camp revolt in “Escape From Sobibor” (1987) and an SS officer in the alternate-universe drama “Fatherland” (1994).

Rutger was born on January 23, 1944, in Amsterdam and was a part of Dutch Merchant Navy. He was a student of acting before he left his course for a career in the navy. However, he returned to his original choice and found his major break in 1969 when he was cast in the title role for Dutch film 'Floris'.