Killers of the Flower Moon actor's sad final post before dying aged 45
Filmmaker Paul Sinacore, who wrote and directed French's upcoming historical drama Towpath, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. Sinacore claims French passed away Friday in a hospital in Waco, Texas, after a years-long battle with cancer that had spread through his body.
'Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor,' Sinacore said in a statement shared on Instagram.
' Towpath wouldn't exist without him, and the incredible intensity he brought to the role of Det. Bernard Crooke set the tone for the entire film. Together we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realise a shared creative vision.'
In what was to be one of his final Instagram posts, shared two weeks ago, French hinted towards his ill health with a selfie taken while receiving an IV drip in his arm.
'Getting IV for much needed hydration,' he wrote.
French delivered a memorable performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, in which he played undercover FBI agent CJ Robinson investigating the Osage murders.
The late actor's other credits include an appearance in Fear the Walking Dead, The Mark of a Killer, and Cherry Town 2023. He also appeared in The Pro Bono Watchman, Joe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sister, and Pegasus: Pony with a Broken Wing.
His most recent on-screen role was as Joel Sharp in the 2024 crime thriller Blood Dried Hands.
In 2024, French received an award for Best Supporting Actor at the Los Angeles Film Awards for his performance in Monsters Within. He also won Best Actor at the Liverpool Indie Awards for his turn in Blood Dried Hands.
Per THR, French is survived by his daughter Madison and his girlfriend, Melinda, as well as his parents Gary and Darlene; and his brothers, Andy and Danny.
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