Bill Paxton – the actor known for a wide array of roles over the course of his 40-year career in Hollywood – has passed away unexpectedly.
He was 61 years old.
Paxton’s family broke the news of his death in a statement issued just moments ago:
“It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery,” the statement reads.
Details are scarce, and the statement offered no information with regard to the nature of the surgical procedure.
Paxton starred in some of the biggest blockbusters of the ’80s and ’90s, including Twister, Titanic, and Aliens.
He also gave unforgettable performances in a number of highly-acclaimed films that have since come to be considered classics, such as Tombstone, Apollo 13, and A Simple Plan.
In addition to his film work, Paxton was also a highly regarded television actor.
He played the lead in HBO’s beloved polygamy drama Big Love for five seasons, and he was nominated an Emmy for his work in the 2012 miniseries The Hatfields and the McCoys.
Paxton was starring in the CBS series Training Day at the time of his death.
“Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable,” the statement from the Paxton family reads.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1955, Paxton was present at the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
A photo of an 8-year-old Bill being lifted onto his father’s shoulders still hangs in a museum commemorating the assassination.
Paxton played a number of bit parts in low-budget films upon first moving to Hollywood, but it was after making the acquaintance of a young director named James Cameron on the set 1984’s The Terminator that his career really took off.
Paxton went on to star in some of Cameron’s best-known films, including Titanic, a movie that shattered every box office record in the books upon its release in 1997.
Among action film fanatics, Paxton has the distinction of being one of only two actors to be confronted by a Terminator (The Terminator), a Xenomorph (Aliens), and a Predator (Predator 2).
Tributes to Paxton from family, friends, and fans began pouring in on Twitter just minutes after news of his death went public, instantly making him the world’s number one trending topic.
Paxton is survived by a wife and two children.
