Rutger Hauer, 'Blade Runner' star, dies at 75
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Rutger Hauer and Daryl Hannah in "Blade Runner." Warner Bros. / Getty Images
Rutger Hauer, the versatile Dutch actor best known for his leading role in "Blade Runner," died at his home in the Netherlands, his agent and loved ones announced Wednesday.
He was 75.
Hauer passed away July 19 following a brief illness and his funeral was held Wednesday, agent Steve Kenis said.
The actor's HIV-AIDS charity, the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association, said the actor wanted his work against the disease to be continued through his wife of 50 years, Ineke ten Cate.
"One of Rutger’s last wishes was that Starfish should continue its charity activity and its fight against the AIDS disease, and with Ineke’s precious help, involvement and direction we will follow Rutger’s wish and will do our best to carry on Rutger’s inestimable legacy," according to a statement from the charity.
Hauer will be best known for his work in "Blade Runner," playing Roy Batty opposite Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard.
Even though the 1982 science fiction work was a critical and box office flop, it became a cult classic that kept Hauer's name relevant for decades.
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Ahhh, I'm going to miss the big lug!
He had a wealth of work from outstanding, ("Blade Runner"), to the bezarly bad, ("Hobo with Shotgun"), but he always had a strong presence on screen.
Some of my personal favorites that came to mind when I heard the news of his passing.
Blade Runner 1982
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Ladyhawke 1985
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Flesh & Blood 1985
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The Hitcher 1986
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Blind Fury 1989
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Hobo with a Shotgun 2011
Blade Runner is on my top 5 sci-fi list.
Me too! Alien is also on my top 5 list
I loved him in Ladyhawk. His character in The Hitcher was blood-curdling !
I did too but one of my takeaways was how beautiful the horses they used in the movie were. Their grace and strength blew me away.
I found out that the breed used in the movie, "Ladyhawk", is called " Friesian" , and that the stallion that Hauer mostly used when filming was named "Goliath", (the 1st photo).
Magnificent animals.
.
.
Agreed!
One of the most frighting portrayals of a cold blood, psychopath I've ever had the pleasure of shivering at while watching.
Friesians are awesome !
Blind Fury 1989
What? No one appreciated Hauer's updated and Americanized tribute to the long running Japanese character Zatoichi , the blind masseur and blade-master?
A wonderful actor.
I'll never forget him in ''Blade Runner'' and I reallly enjoyed him in ''Ladyhawk''.
RIP Rutger.
I will admit that Daryl Hannah flopping around on the floor after she gets her plug pulled is a favorite scene of mine.
That was pretty freaky!
My condolences to his immediate and extended family and circle of friends.
I liked his work in Ladyhawk but to me, his best role was in The Hitcher.
Nearly impossible to dispute that.
One of my favorite movies of all time was Bladerunner. That movie was based on one of Philip K. Dick's stories 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" One of my favorite authors as well. I'm a huge sci-fi geek also.
I really enjoyed Harrison Ford in that film as well
Didn't he write his "teardrops in the rain" speech for Bladerunner? It was so touching.
He didn't write it but the night before the filming of the scene made changes to the original.
In the documentary Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner , Hauer, director Ridley Scott , and screenwriter David Peoples confirm that Hauer largely modified the "Tears in Rain" speech.
He will be missed.
Major talent.
Beloved advocate.
May his memory be a source of consolation and inspiration to those left behind.
P&AB.
Enoch.
One of my favorite actors in one of my favorite movies. His last scene was all about why life matters.. just beautiful.
I guess it was his time to die. RIP Rutger.
That was very touching.
Thanks for watching. I often post videos and I wonder if anyone really watches them.
That particular scene crystalizes part of what being human is all about.
It's not about the toys, or the money. It's about what we've experienced, and what we have done with our time here.
That was such a touching scene, gave me chills. He could have let Decker die, but he didn't. Realizing how precious life is.