Actor Brian Dennehy Dies at 81, Family Says

Actor Brian Dennehy Dies at 81, Family Says
Actor Brian Dennehy participates in Annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC and GFI at Cantor Fitzgerald in New York City on Sept. 11, 2017. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Jack Phillips
4/16/2020
Updated:
4/16/2020

Longtime actor Brian Dennehy, who had roles in TV and film, died at the age of 81, according to his daughter, who said it is not related to the CCP virus pandemic.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce that our father, Brian passed away last night from natural causes, not Covid-related. Larger than life, generous to a fault, a proud and devoted father and grandfather, he will be missed by his wife Jennifer, family and many friends,” his daughter, Elizabeth, wrote on Twitter.
Law enforcement officials told local news outlets that he died from natural causes in Connecticut. There will be no autopsy.
Dennehy’s career began in the 1970s and had roles in “Kojak,” “MASH,” and other shows before he took a recurring role in “Dallas.” He also played the sheriff in the Sylvester Stallone film “First Blood,” according to his IMDB page.

His most memorable role was in 1995’s “Tommy Boy,” paying Big Tom Callahan, who was the father of the character played by the late actor Chris Farley.

Dennehy also appeared in dozens of other films, TV shows, and numerous made-for-TV movies over the past several decades.

Reports say he is survived by his wife and five children.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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