26 July 2020

Nightmare on Elm Street star John Saxon has died of pneumonia at 83

Hollywood actor John Saxon has died at the age of 83 from pneumonia.

His wife Gloria confirmed the news with The Hollywood Reporter and said he had died on Saturday.

Saxon’s career spanned over 60 years and he was best known for starring alongside martial arts legend Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon, Lee’s first and last mainstream movie, and the original Nightmare on Elm Street.

He also acted alongside Marlon Brando in The Appaloosa in the 1960's which earned him a Golden Globe accolade.

He featured in 200 movie and TV roles with early debuts including a part in Judy Garland and James Mason’s version of A Star is Born.

His appearances on TV included: Fantasy Island, Kung Fu, Ironside and Gunsmoke.

And despite being born to Italian parents he was often cast in different ethnicity roles.

He is survived by his wife Gloria and his son Antonio who he had with his ex-wife and screenwriter Mary Ann.

Many have paid tribute to the star on social media.

Writer and director Edgar Wright wrote: "Rest In Piece John Saxon, beloved actor iconic in several cult classics: Nightmare On Elm Street, Enter The Dragon, Tenebrae, Battle Beyond The Stars, Black Christmas and this, the original Giallo mystery, Mario Bava’s The Girl Who Knew Too Much."

While director Peyton Reed said: “I always loved seeing John Saxon in a movie or TV show. His first impression on me was a strong one: playing Steve Austin’s old pal Major Frederick Sloan AND the robot that replaces him in the “Day of the Robot” episode of THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. So good”

And author Don Winslow wrote: “RIP John Saxon. World class bad ass and friend/student of Bruce Lee. I always said, if I had to do a secret mission and I could only bring a couple of guys, I'd want two of them to be Bruce Lee and John Saxon!”

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