Character actor Tommy Boy and Cocoon Brian Dennehy dies at 81



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Brian Dennehy died at the age of 81 after more than 40 years working as an actor in both movies and television in Hollywood, as well as in stage performances in New York.

The star, best known for her roles in Cocoon and First Blood, died at her Connecticut home of natural causes, according to TMZ. There will be no official autopsy.

The character actor started in 1977 with a role on TV Kojak and then became a Dynasty regular before creating a film career.

Sad loss: Brian Dennehy died at the age of 81 after more than 40 years working as an actor in both movies and television in Hollywood, as well as in stage performances in New York. Seen in the 1995 film Tommy Boy with Bo Derek

Sad loss: Brian Dennehy died at the age of 81 after more than 40 years working as an actor in both movies and television in Hollywood, as well as in stage performances in New York. Seen in the 1995 film Tommy Boy with Bo Derek

One icon: The star, best known for her roles in Cocoon and First Blood, died at her Connecticut home of natural causes, according to TMZ. Seen in 2012

One icon: The star, best known for her roles in Cocoon and First Blood, died at her Connecticut home of natural causes, according to TMZ. Seen in 2012

Brian is survived by his wife Jennifer Arnott, whom he married in 1988, and their two children Cormack, 27, and Sarah, 25.

The death of a salesman star also has three children, including actress Elizabeth Dennehy, with his first wife Judith Scheff.

Brian didn’t start acting on screen until later in life.

He attended Columbia University in New York and then enlisted in the Marine Corps and remained in service until 1963.

In 1977 he won a role in the popular series Kojak that put him on his way to Hollywood.

Successful Show: After earning credits at Knots Landing and Fly Away Home, she got the best job in town at the time: a dynasty recurrent with Joan Collins (pictured) and Linda Evans. In 1981 Brian played Jake Dunham

Successful Show: After earning credits at Knots Landing and Fly Away Home, she got the best job in town at the time: a dynasty recurrent with Joan Collins (pictured) and Linda Evans. In 1981 Brian played Jake Dunham

Another look: Here's another image of Brian on Dynasty; on the left is Colby Chester

Another look: Here’s another image of Brian on Dynasty; on the left is Colby Chester

Then came the roles in the hit series Police Woman, MASH, and Lou Grant.

In 1978 Brian got the mini series Pearl, he starred in a Dallas episode where he played Luther Frickand and in 1979 he was cast as Donald in movie 10 with Bo Derek.

After earning credits at Knots Landing and Fly Away Home, she landed the best job in town at the time: a recurring dynasty with Joan Collins and Linda Evans in 1981; Brian played Jake Dunham.

Action movie: The spotlight gave her a Teasle role in 1982's First Blood with Sylvester Stallone

Action movie: The spotlight gave her a Teasle role in 1982’s First Blood with Sylvester Stallone

The spotlight landed him a role as Teasle in 1982’s First Blood with Sylvester Stallone.

His next big movie was Cocoon from 1985, a huge success. He portrayed Walter alongside Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley and Hume Cronyn in the film To Feel Good From Director Ron Howard.

And then it appeared in the 1988 sequel titled The Return.

In the 1990 thriller Harrison Ford, Presumably Innocent, he had a key role as Raymond Horgan.

A favorite: His next big movie was Cocoon from 1985, a huge success. He played Walter alongside Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn in the movie To Feel Good From Director Ron Howard.

A favorite: His next big movie was Cocoon from 1985, a huge success. He played Walter alongside Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn in the movie To Feel Good From Director Ron Howard.

He also did well on stage: in 2006 he won the Best Actor Olivier award for his role in Death of a Salesman at the 2006 Lawrence Olivier Theater Awards in London.

He also did well on stage: in 2006 he won the Best Actor Olivier award for his role in Death of a Salesman at the 2006 Lawrence Olivier Theater Awards in London.

And then, in the 1992 boxing movie Gladiator, he also had a crucial role.

In 1995 he had a great role against his co-star Derek for Tommy Boy.

Brian got several television series in the 90s like Birdland and Nostromo. He worked on The Fighting Fitzgeralds and Just Shoot Me! after that.

With the icons: in 2008 he worked with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Righteous Kill

With the icons: in 2008 he worked with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Righteous Kill

Solid role: with Saoirse Ronan, Jon Tenney, Glenn Fleshler, Barbara Tirrell, and Mare Winningham at The Seagull in 2018

Solid role: with Saoirse Ronan, Jon Tenney, Glenn Fleshler, Barbara Tirrell, and Mare Winningham at The Seagull in 2018

His voice can be heard as Django in Disney’s 2007 animated classic Ratatouille.

He was last on The Blacklist in 2019. Brian has two post-production films (Son Of The South and Long Day Journey) and was scheduled to work on The Adventures Of Buddy Thunder.

Dennehy was set to star in the upcoming Amazon Studios Cocked series, which features protagonists Jason Lee, Dreama Walker, Diora Baird, and Sam Trammell.

Brian also had a successful career in theater.

He won two Tony Awards in his life: the first went to Death Of A Salesman in 1999 and then to the long day of Eugene O’Neill’s Journey Into Night in 2003.

Other notable performances were in Chicago, Inherit The Wind and Desire Under The Elms.

In 2010, it was included in the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Most recent: He was seen in 2018 with Annette Bening in New York at the Sony Pictures Classics the Seagull Spotlight narrative premiere

Most recent: He was seen in 2018 with Annette Bening in New York at the Sony Pictures Classics the Seagull Spotlight narrative premiere

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