You may not recognize the name Miguel Ferrer, but if you’re a fan of film and television, you’re almost certainly familiar with his work.
Ferrer passed away today at the age of 61, but the respected “actor’s actor” and first cousin of George Clooney leaves behind a body of work that will endure for generations.
Ferrer racked up more than 120 credits over the course of his 36 years in the industry.
As a young man, he embarked on a career in music, playing drums for Keith Moon’s debut solo effort.
It wasn’t long, however, before Hollywood came calling and Ferrer quickly found work as a character actor in a number of “tough guy” roles.
Though he starred in films as varied as RoboCop, Traffic, and Iron Man 3, it is for his work in several long-running TV series for which Ferrer will likely be best remembered.
Ferrer stole scenes in recurring roles on Miami Vice, Twin Peaks, Tales From the Crypt, Desperate Housewives, Crossing Jordan, and NCIS: Los Angeles.
His talent for playing gruff cops and crooks made him a go-to favorite for crime dramas – as well as for projects that skewered the genre.
Ferrer’s distinctive voice earned him frequent high-profile animation gigs in features like Mulan and Rio 2, as well as in beloved series such as Adventure Time and Robot Chicken.
NCIS: Los Angeles showrunner R. Scott Gemmill issued a statement to the press just moments after news of Ferrer’s death went public.
“Today, NCIS: Los Angeles lost a beloved family member,” Gemmill wrote.
“Miguel was a man of tremendous talent who had a powerful dramatic presence on screen, a wicked sense of humor, and a huge heart. Our thoughts go out to his wife Lori, his sons, and his entire family.
“He will be greatly missed.”
Sources say Ferrer died peacefully at his California home this afternoon, surrounded by family and friends.
He was active on NCIS and in several other projects up until the time when his illness left him bed-ridden.
Ferrer was scheduled to appear in the Showtime reboot of Twin Peaks debuting in May, but it is not known if he had completed filming.
Ferrer’s expansive body of work and reputation as one of Hollywood’s most genuine nice guys combined to make him a trending topic on Twitter just moments after the world learned of his death.
The actor is survived by wife Lori, and sons Lukas and Rafi.
