Life has a very strange way of playing out. Most creative people will explain to you the law of threes. Stories, jokes, art, movies, everything happens in threes. And I’ve noticed the same thing in life. Things happen in threes. First there was Brad Renfro, than Heath Ledger, and now Roy Scheider is dead at age 75.
The actor best known for playing police chief Brody in Steven Spielberg’s JAWS died on Sunday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital in Little Rock a hospital. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but the actor was diagnosed with myeloma in 2004. In memory, let’s take a look at some of the popular films in Scheider’s 44 year history in the business:
- Klute (1971) - Frank Ligourin
- The French Connection (1971) - Det. Buddy Russo
- Jaws (1975) - Police Chief Martin Brody
- Marathon Man (1976) - Henry ‘Doc’ Levy
- Sorcerer (1977) - Jackie Scanlon/”Juan Dominguez”
- Jaws 2 (1978) - Police Chief Martin Brody
- All That Jazz (1979) - Joe Gideon
- Blue Thunder (1983) - Officer Frank Murphy
- 2010 (1984) - Dr. Heywood Floyd
- Naked Lunch (1991) - Doctor Benway
- Romeo Is Bleeding (1993) - Don Falcone
- The Rainmaker (1997) - Wilfred Keeley
- The Punisher (2004) - Frank Castle Sr.
Scheider was nominated for two Academy Awards, one in 1972 for Best Supporting Actor in The French Connection, and another in 1980 for Best Actor in a Leading Role in All The Jazz.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Aw man…
February 10th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Roy Scheider…great actor, and this news of his passing is hard to believe. Watching Jaws 1 & 2, and Blue Thunder will mean a little more knowing that Roy has passed away as those are movies of his I watch the most. I grew up on Jaws. It was something we watch everytime it was shown on TV, and I still watch it on TV even though I’ve got it on DVD.
When we hear of our favorite actors dying it’s very hard to believe, because for me I guess I have this image of Roy Scheider being the same age today as he was when they made the first Jaws movie. These actors sort of remain ageless in our minds, and it shocks us when we lose them. R.I.P Roy. We will miss you. You ARE a great talent, and we thank you for the movies you gave us growing up.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Aren’t we forgetting something?
SeaQuest.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
February 10th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
‘SMILE YOU SON-OF-A!!’
RIP
February 10th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Blue Thunder came out when I was 9 and was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid.
February 10th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
a great man, a great actor, and by all accounts, a great human being. rest in peace, roy.
(and don’t forget “seven ups” - cool NYC action flick following FC.)
February 10th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
“WE NEED A BIGGER BOAT” classic. RIP.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:26 am
In 3’s? 2 drug overdoses + 1 cancer does not equal 3. Especially not a month apart from 1 to 3…
February 11th, 2008 at 12:39 am
Man that sucks… what a crappy way to end the night. He did some great voice work in the animated documentary “Chicago 10.” Couldn’t place him until the credits and that’s always a good sign of voice work. Quint may get all the love in Jaws, but I always loved Brody. . .
February 11th, 2008 at 7:09 am
The man was a legend. Top actor who will be missed, rest in peace :)
February 11th, 2008 at 8:16 am
A legend never dies!
February 11th, 2008 at 9:40 am
i was thinking the same thing as def man, it still felt like Roy was the same age as when he took down jaws. RIP, sir.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Things happen in threes?!? What? It’s sad when people die, but a 75 year old who’d been sick for years after leading a full and rich life is not really the same thing as young actors in their 20s dying suddenly because of drugs.
If you wait long enough and are willing to connect separate events, then I suppose everything really can “happen in threes,” but it’s still bullocks.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
R.I.P. , Mr. Scheider and thank
you for entertaining us with
your wonderful movies!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
RIP.