Frederic Forrest, an Oscar-nominated American actor known for films such as “Apocalypse Now” (1979) and “The Rose” (1979), passed away on Friday in Santa Monica, California, after a long illness. He was 86 years old.
Bette Midler and Francis Ford Coppola bid farewell to Frederic Forrest
The news of Frederic Forrest’s death was shared on Twitter by Bette Midler, his co-star in “The Rose.” The talented and beloved Frederic Forrest has passed away, the actress wrote. I want to express my gratitude to all his fans and friends for their support in recent months. He was an incredible actor and an exceptional human being. I feel fortunate to have had him in my life. He departed peacefully.
https://twitter.com/BetteMidler/status/1672410043973791745
Director Francis Ford Coppola also issued a statement following Forrest’s death: “Freddie Forrest was a sweet, lovely person, a great actor, and a good friend. His loss is deeply painful for me.”
Who was Frederic Forrest?
Frederic Forrest was born on December 23, 1936, in Waxahachie, Texas. He attended Texas Christian University and the University of Oklahoma. He took his first acting steps in Texas, performing with a local acting group. He then moved to New York, where he studied at the Actor’s Studio and began performing off-Broadway. His film debut, preceded by several episodic appearances, was in “When Legends Die” (1972), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
His filmography includes notable works such as “Missouri Breaks” (1976), “Hammett’s Tales” (1982), “The Two Jakes” (1990), and “Downfall” (1993). He collaborated multiple times with Francis Ford Coppola, appearing in films such as “Apocalypse Now” (1979), “The Conversation” (1974), “One from the Heart” (1982), and “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (1988). He also made appearances in TV series such as “21 Jump Street,” “Murphy Brown,” and “Quo Vadis?” His final role was in “All the King’s Men” (2006).
Frederic Forrest – notable roles
One of the most significant roles in Frederic Forrest’s career was in the film “The Rose” (1979), directed by Mark Rydell. He portrayed Huston Dyer, the driver and later lover of Mary Rose Foster (played by Bette Midler), a singer inspired by Janis Joplin. This role earned him Oscar and Golden Globe nominations in the “Best Supporting Actor” category.
Forrest also played a notable role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” (1979). Alongside Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, and Marlon Brando, he portrayed Jay “Chef” Hicks.
