Blade Runner Star Rutger Hauer Dead at 75

Blade Runner star Rutger Hauer dead at 75

Dutch actor Rutger Hauer has passed away, his agent has confirmed (Via Variety). The 75-year-old actor died July 19 in the Netherlands following a short illness.

Born January 23, 1944, Hauer made his official debut on the screen working with fellow Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, collaborating on the TV series Floris as well as the Academy Award nominated film Turkish Delight. Hauer and Verhoeven continued to collaborate on other projects over the years including Katie Tippe, Soldier of Orange, and Spetters.

The role fans the world over know Hauer for was the murderous replicant Roy Batty in the groundbreaking sci-fi film Blade Runner. Though a commercial failure when it debuted in theaters, the film has gained an immense following in the decades passing with Hauer’s character having one of the most highlighted moments in the entire movie.

Hauer enjoyed an extensive career, starring in over 170 different shows and films including the cult horror film The Hitcher, 80s action-comedy Blind Fury, and the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer feature film among many, many others.

In recent years he has appeared in some fan-favorite shows and films including Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (likely due to Nolan’s long noted obsession with Blade Runner), the graphic novel adaptation Sin City, the Grindhouse spin-off Hobo With A Shotgun, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, plus Smallville, True Blood, and Channel Zero.

Hauer is survived by his wife Ineke ten Cate, daughter Aysha Hauer, and one grandchild.

(Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)