Powers Boothe, a veteran actor of both the big screen and the small screen, died on Sunday in his sleep. He was 68 years old. According to publicist Karen Samfilippo, Boothe passed away inside his Los Angeles home from natural causes. A private service will be held for him this week in his native state of Texas, while his family is contemplating a more public memorial at some point in the future. Beau Bridges, another long-time star in the industry, Tweeted confirmation of the sad news on Sunday afternoon, writing the following message: Boothe was mostly known for portraying fictional villains, from saloon owner Cy Tolliver on HBO’s Deadwood to one of his more recent appearances on ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He grew up on a Texas farm and began his acting career on stage, starring in a number of Shakespearean productions, including Henry IV. After becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college, he made his Broadway debut in the 1970s in Lone Star & Pvt. Wars. In 1980, Boothe won an Emmy Award for lead actor in a limited series or special for playing cult leader Jim Jones in CBS’ Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones. He took home that trophy during an actors strike and decided to cross the picket line to accept it, saying at the time: “This may be either the bravest moment of my career or the dumbest.” Boothe also was nominated two ensemble SAG Awards, first in 1996 alongside the cast of Nixon and then again in 2007 with the cast of Deadwood. He’s probably best known to current movie goers for having players Senator Roark in the Sin City franchise. Also in the film universe, he portrayed Alexander Haig in Nixon (1995)… a sheriff in another Oliver Stone movie, U Turn (1997)… and was unforgettable as the evil gunman Curly Bill Brocius in Tombstone (1993). Boothe played Connie Britton’s father on Nashville and the President of the United States on a season of 24. “I loved acting with you #PowersBoothe you were a gentlemen and a great actor,” wrote Lea Thompson in response to Boothe’s passing. His Deadwood co-star, Garret Dillahunt, described the star on Facebook as “a formidable adversary, baseball lover and poser hater,” adding as a tribute: “Give em hell Powers.” In 2009, Boothe was inducted in the Texas Film Hall of Fame, along with actor and singer Billy Bob Thornton. Those who wish to honor the late star can send donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which assists the country’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2017: In Memoriam May Powers Boothe rest in peace.
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Powers Boothe Dies; Veteran Actor Was 68 Years Old
