The official cause of Bill Paxton’s death has been revealed following the 61-year-old acting great’s tragic passing two weekends ago.
Paxton died February 25 at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, as confirmed by his family. Now we know the reasons why.
According to the death certificate, obtained by TMZ, his death triggered by an aneurysm that required surgery which resulted in a stroke.
Paxton had just undergone valve replacement surgery to correct an aortic aneurysm problem, and complications arose from the operation.
Eleven days later, he suffered the fatal stroke.
The death certificate states that Bill had the surgery on February 14 and died on February 25, which is consistent with his family’s statement.
“It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery,” the family said then.
Having left this world far too soon, he leaves behind a legacy in film and TV that ranks him among the all-time greats in his profession.
“Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable,” the statement continued.
His passion for the arts was matched by fans’ passion for his work in them, as evidenced by his impressive, almost underrated resume.
Tombstone, Apollo 13, and A Simple Plan are just a few of Bill’s movie roles that have enjoyed immense popularity throughout the years.
Paxton was also a highly regarded TV actor, especially within the last decade, when he starred on HBO’s polygamy drama Big Love.
On top of five seasons headlining that series, Paxton was also nominated an Emmy Award for 2012’s The Hatfields and the McCoys.
He was starring in CBS’ Training Day at the time of his death.
The native Texan’s first brush with fame was entirely accidental; Bill witnessed the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
A photo of an eight-year-old Bill being lifted onto his dad’s shoulders still hangs in a museum commemorating the life and death of JFK.
As an aspiring actor, he played a number of low-budget, bit film roles upon moving to Hollywood before landing his big break in a 1980s classic.
Bill met a young director named James Cameron on the set of The Terminator, and a part in that film is what allowed his career to take off.
Their relationship grew, and Paxton went on to star in some of Cameron’s best-known films, including the box office behemoth Titanic.
No film had made nearly as much money as the 1997 love story – a classic two decades later and still among the highest-grossing ever.
In addition to his link to the JFK assassination, another little known piece of Paxton trivia can be attributed to his body of work as an actor:
He is one of only two people to be confronted by a Terminator (The Terminator), a Xenomorph (Aliens), and a Predator (Predator 2).
That’s pretty awesome, and just part of the reason so many tributes to Paxton from family, friends, and fans began pouring upon his death.
A testament to the impact of his life, he was mourned the world over, by those who knew him personally and those who knew his work.
Paxton is survived by a wife and two children. Our condolences go out to them and to his family members, friends and fans the world over.
R.I.P.
