August Schellenberg, who played the mentor character in “Free Willy,” has died, according to reports on Friday.
Canadian-born Schellenberg, 77, played the Native American mentor in “Free Willy” and its sequels. He also played in Terrene Malick’s “The New World,” as well as starred in “Iron Will,” and did voices for animated film “Heavy Metal.”
Schellenberg, who is Mohawk and Swiss-German, often played Native American characters.
He died of an illness in Texas after battling with cancer, reported TMZ.
He died peacefully and was surrounded by family.
He was nominated for an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for playing Chief Sitting Bull in “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.”
He last appeared in 2012’s “The Last Movie” and before that, he played Yaozu in “SGU Stargate Universe” in 2011.
