Bill Paxton, Star of ALIENS, TITANIC, FRAILTY, Has Died at 61

Bill Paxton Has Died at the Age of 61

Actor Bill Paxton passed away this morning at the age of 61. His death is the result of heart surgery complications. Details on what exactly the complications to that surgery were have not been released yet. The surviving Paxton family (his wife Louise Newbury and two children James Paxton and Lydia Paxton) have released the following statement about the death of Bill Paxton (TMZ and People):

“It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery. A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker. Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable. We ask to please respect the family’s wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their adored husband and father.”

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I have been a fan of Bill Paxton for a long time, ever since I saw him in Aliens when I was a child.

Bill Paxton Aliens

I enjoyed him in Tombstone, True Lies, The Terminator, Weird Science, Edge of Tomorrow, Apollo 13, and Titanic. His best on-screen performance may have been in Hatfields & McCoys where his character went from anger to depression to alcoholism within the narrative’s time-frame.

Behind the camera, I was very impressed with what he crafted with Frailty. I had not gotten around to watching Paxton in the Training Day television show but from the trailer, I can see why Paxton was attracted to his part in the series.

Director James Cameron had this to say about Bill Paxton, their friendship, and Paxton’s passing:

“I’ve been reeling from this for the past half hour, trying to wrap my mind and heart around it. Bill leaves such a void. He and I were close friends for 36 years, since we met on the set of a Roger Corman ultra-low budget movie. He came in to work on set, and I slapped a paint brush in his hand and pointed to a wall, saying ‘Paint that!’ We quickly recognized the creative spark in each other and became fast friends.

“What followed was 36 years of making films together, helping develop each others projects, going on scuba diving trips together, watching each others kids growing up, even diving the Titanic wreck together in Russian subs. It was a friendship of laughter, adventure, love of cinema, and mutual respect. Bill wrote beautiful heartfelt and thoughtful letters, an anachronism in this age of digital shorthand. He took good care of his relationships with people, always caring and present for others. He was a good man, a great actor, and a creative dynamo.

“I hope that amid the gaudy din of Oscar night, people will take a moment to remember this wonderful man, not just for all the hours of joy he brought to us with his vivid screen presence, but for the great human that he was.

“The world is a lesser place for his passing, and I will profoundly miss him.”

William “Bill” Paxton was born on May 17, 1955 in Fort Worth, Texas to Mary Lou (née Gray) and John Lane Paxton. Bill Paxton’s acting career began in 1975 and continued until his death in 2017. Bill Paxton’s final on-screen will be in the Emma Watson and Tom Hanks-starring social media film The Circle.

Bill Paxton will be missed.

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