SAD LOSS
A NIGHTMARE on Elm Street and Enter the Dragon actor John Saxon died on Saturday in Murfreesboro, Tennessee at the age of 83.
His wife Gloria said pneumonia was the cause of death, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The actor and martial artist was best known for his work in westerns, action films and horror movies.
John’s onscreen career began in the mid-1950s with a couple of uncredited roles, as well as a guest-starring episode of TV series Medic and a few crime-dramas, including Running Wild and The Unguarded Moment.
His most recent project was the 2017 comedy The Extra, which centered on a bad boy movie star who decided to work as a film extra as a prank.
John played the character of Victor Vallient in the flick.
The Brooklyn, New York native was best known for starring as Roper in 1973’s Enter the Dragon with Bruce Lee and for playing Lt. Thompson in 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street and in 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe, in the category of Best Supporting Actor, for his portrayal of a Mexican bandit named Chuy in 1966’s The Appaloosa, which also starred Marlon Brando.
During his 60-year career, the star also worked alongside Clint Eastwood in Joe Kidd in 1972, with Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack in 1962’s War Hunt and in 1979’s The Electric Horseman.
Throughout his time acting, he also had a few roles on popular television shows, including The Bold Ones: The New Doctors, Falcon Crest, Melrose Place, Gunsmoke, The Six Million Dollar Man, Fantasy Island, Dynasty and more.
In 1988, John made his directorial debut with the horror movie Zombie Death House, about a federal agent who creates an army of undead warriors using a new drug.
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After two previous marriages — first to screenwriter Mary Ann Murphy (from 1967 to 1979) and second to actress Elizabeth Saxon (from1987 to 1992) — John married his third wife, cosmetician Gloria Martel, in 2008.
He is also survived by his sons, Antonio and Lance, grandson Mitchell, great-grandson John and sister Dolores.