George Kennedy, who won a supporting actor Oscar for his role alongside Paul Newman in the beloved film “Cool Hand Luke,” and was also a fixture of 1970s disaster movies including the “Airport” franchise and “Earthquake,” died Sunday in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. His grandson Cory Schenkel reported the death on his Facebook page.
While Kennedy largely played gruff, blue-collar characters in dramas and genre films, he allowed a comedic side to emerge in the deadpan “The Naked Gun” movies.
Kennedy appeared in all four of the “Airport” movies of the 1970s as Joe Patroni, the reluctant, cigar-chomping but highly effective chief mechanic who could be counted upon when the chips were down and supreme expertise was required. He also turned in a powerful performance in 1975’s “Earthquake” as the hearty, sentimental police sergeant Slade, who helps where he can in the wake of the devastating temblor.
Kennedy toiled in...
While Kennedy largely played gruff, blue-collar characters in dramas and genre films, he allowed a comedic side to emerge in the deadpan “The Naked Gun” movies.
Kennedy appeared in all four of the “Airport” movies of the 1970s as Joe Patroni, the reluctant, cigar-chomping but highly effective chief mechanic who could be counted upon when the chips were down and supreme expertise was required. He also turned in a powerful performance in 1975’s “Earthquake” as the hearty, sentimental police sergeant Slade, who helps where he can in the wake of the devastating temblor.
Kennedy toiled in...
- 2/29/2016
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety - Film News
Similar News
Never Let Go: Halle Berry Fights To Survive In New Trailer For Alexandre Aja's Horror Thriller
- 5/16/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
“We lost some machinery that night”: One Michael Bay Transformers Movie Had Such Insane VFX the Computers Exploded With “Little puffs of smoke”
- 5/15/2024
- by Visarg Acharya
- FandomWire
Keep Memory Alive Honors Blake Shelton at 27th Annual Power of Love Gala
- 5/15/2024
- Look to the Stars
5 Best Family-Friendly Detective Shows to Watch Instead of So Help Me Todd
- 5/16/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
The Woman in Cabin 10: Keira Knightley to star in Ruth Ware thriller adaptation
- 5/16/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Jodie Comer to lead Kenneth Branagh’s next directorial effort, The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde
- 5/15/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
“It’s not fun”: Og Oscar-Nominated Star from One of the Best Pre-Avengers Movies Has Openly Said He “Can’t stand 3D”
- 5/14/2024
- by Mahin Sultan
- FandomWire
Paul Newman on Craft, Celebrity, and Destiny: A Conversation with Oriana Fallaci
- 5/13/2024
- by Lucia Senesi
- The Film Stage
Cool Hand Luke's Lucille Was Ready To Quit The 60s Film After An Appalling Request
- 5/7/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Fall 2 to Be Directed by the Spierig Brothers
- 5/16/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Natasha Lyonne Joins Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Cast
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ Renewed for Season 2 at Max
- 5/15/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Box Office: John Krasinski’s ‘If’ Aims to Impress With $40 Million Debut
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
‘Supergirl’ Movie Lands June 2026 Release in Theaters
- 5/14/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tim McGraw to Star in Bull Rider Drama Series at Netflix
- 5/15/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Donnie Yen to Star in ‘John Wick’ Caine Spinoff Movie
- 5/15/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Natasha Lyonne Joins Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Cast
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Serena Williams to Host 2024 Espy Awards for ESPN
- 5/14/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Japanese Genre-Meister Miike Takashi Signs With CAA (Exclusive)
- 5/14/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran and Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
‘Father Mother Sister Brother’: Jim Jarmusch’s Latest Star Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Tom Waits & More
- 5/16/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Fall 2 to Be Directed by the Spierig Brothers
- 5/16/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
How ‘Gazer,’ a Self-Financed Thriller from Amateur Filmmakers, Made It Into This Year’s Directors’ Fortnight
- 5/16/2024
- by Jamie Lang and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ Review: Trauma Takes on Grieving in Rungano Nyoni’s Darkly Transfixing Second Feature
- 5/16/2024
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety - Film News
Paramount+ Lands ‘We Will Dance Again’ Documentary on Oct. 7 Music Festival Attack in Israel
- 5/16/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - TV News
Lily Allen Joins Haley Bennett in Virginia Woolf Adaptation ‘Night and Day’ (Exclusive)
- 5/16/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Return to Silent Hill’ Movie Reveals First Look at Pyramid Head, Previews at Cannes Film Festival (Exclusive)
- 5/16/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Donnie Yen to Star in ‘John Wick’ Caine Spinoff Movie
- 5/15/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Natasha Lyonne Joins Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Cast
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Box Office: John Krasinski’s ‘If’ Aims to Impress With $40 Million Debut
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
‘Dawson’s Creek’ Creator Kevin Williamson Sets Netflix Family Drama ‘The Waterfront’
- 5/15/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety - TV News
Tim McGraw to Star in Bull Rider Drama Series at Netflix
- 5/15/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ Renewed for Season 2 at Max
- 5/15/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
‘Agatha All Along’ Sets September Premiere Date on Disney+
- 5/14/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Spinoff Reveals First Look at Grown-Up Alex and Justin, Sets Official Title
- 5/14/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety - TV News