Actor Ben Gazzara '46 Has Passed Away

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 July 2012 10:50 Published Date Written by SHSAA

Ben Gazzara dies at 81

Feb. 3, 2012, 6:56 PM EST
By Brent Lang
TheWrap

Ben Gazzara died Friday of pancreatic cancer, the New York Times reported. The star of award-winning films and plays such as "Anatomy of a Murder and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" was 81 years old. Gazzara employed his distinctive, gravel-specked voice and powerful stare most memorably in a series of film collaborations with the director John Cassavetes. For the maverick director, Gazzara played a collection of bitter spouses and down-on-their heels gamblers and theater directors in films such as "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie" and "Opening Night." Like Peter Falk, his co-star in Cassavetes' "Husbands," Gazzara was perfect for director's signature examinations of bruised men who struggle to articulate and come to grips with their emotions, fears and hopes in a rapidly changing world. [Full Story on MSN Entertainment]

Related Articles: [NYTimes] [Biography.com]