Neill ‘shaken’ by death
Kiwi stars Sam Neill and Karl Urban have shared their sadness at the death of actor Bill Paxton on Sunday.
Paxton, the versatile actor who appeared in films including Aliens and Titanic and played a bigamist on HBO’s Big Love, died from complications following a surgical procedure. He was 61.
Yesterday, Neill said he was ‘‘shaken’’ by news of Paxton’s death.
‘‘Sweetest man you ever knew,’’ Neill wrote on Twitter. ‘‘Fine actor and funny as hell. Thinking of his family he adored.’’
Urban also sent thoughts to Paxton’s family.
With a Texas twang and grizzled visage, Paxton often found himself playing military men and cowboys.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Paxton rose to fame in the 1980s after landing a minor part as a thug in Terminator.
He went on to score a role in John Hughes’ 1985 movie Weird Science.
He was closely associated with James Cameron, playing an ill- fated technician in Aliens for the filmmakers, as well as a venal car deal in True Lies and a treasure hunter in Titanic.
Paxton and Cameron teamed up again for 2003’s Ghosts of the Abyss. Cameron said the news had left him reeling.
‘‘Bill leaves such a void. He and I were close friends for 36 years, since we met on the set of a Roger Corman ultralow-budget movie.
‘‘...We quickly recognised the creative spark in each other and became fast friends. What followed was 36 years of making films together, helping develop each others’ projects, going on scuba diving trips together, watching each others’ kids growing up, even diving the Titanic wreck together in Russian subs.
Cameron said it was a friendship of laughter, adventure, love of cinema, and mutual respect.
‘‘He was a good man, a great actor, and a creative dynamo. I hope that amid the gaudy din of Oscar night, people will take a moment to remember this wonderful man, not just for all the hours of joy he brought to us with his vivid screen presence, but for the great human that he was.
‘‘The world is a lesser place for his passing, and I will profoundly miss him.’’
Paxton’s final big-screen project, sci-fi thriller The Circle, is set for release in April.
He portrayed Emma Watson’s father in the movie, alongside Tom Hanks, Karen Gillan, John Boyega, and Patton Oswalt.
He had also earned an Emmy for his role in historical TV mini0series Hatfields & McCoys.
A representative for his family released a statement asking for privacy and saying: ‘‘A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker.
‘‘Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable.’’
Reuters and Cover Media