Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'Tough-guy' actor Ben Gazzara dies, aged 81

Saturday 04 February 2012 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The actor Ben Gazzara, who starred in the original Broadway production of Tennessee Williams's play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, died of pancreatic cancer on Friday. He was 81.

Since the 1950s, Gazzara had performed in many landmark productions on stage and screen, often playing intense, tough-guy roles, including the cult 1998 film The Big Lebowski. The New York son of Sicilian immigrants, Gazzara, an early practitioner of method acting, trained with James Dean, Marlon Brando and Paul Newman.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in