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George Kennedy dead: Naked Gun and Cool Hand Luke star dies aged 91

TMZ reported that the actor had suffered failing health ever since his wife Joan died a year ago

 

Rachael Revesz
New York
Monday 29 February 2016 23:48 GMT
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Mr Kennedy, 91, spent the last month in a hospice after a year of failing health
Mr Kennedy, 91, spent the last month in a hospice after a year of failing health (YouTube)

The star of the “Naked Gun” films and “Cool Hand Luke” George Kennedy has died at the age of 91.

TMZ reported that he passed away on Sunday morning at 4.30am in Boise, Idaho, according to his grandson Cory Schenkel.

Mr Schenkel said his grandfather had been suffering from deteriorating health for a little more than a year, ever since his wife Joan died. He had been in a hospice for over a month.

Mr Kennedy won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1968 for his role in “Cool Hand Luke”. Other roles include police captain Ed Hocken in the three “Naked Gun” comedy films, “Airport 1975” and “Earthquake”.

The actor, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, played alongside Mark Wahlberg in the 2014 film “The Gambler”.

Viewers may also know Mr Kennedy as the oil tycoon Carter McKat from long-running CBS series “Dallas”.

Albert Brooks, who worked with Kennedy in his 1981 comedy film “Modern Romance”, offered his condolences on Twitter.

“R.I.P. George Kennedy,” he wrote. “Lucky enough to work with him in Modern Romance. Great guy."

Other fans took to social media to share their favourite moments of the actor.

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