Frederic Forrest Dies: Oscar-Nominated Actor In ‘Apocalypse Now’ And ‘The Rose’ Was 86

Oscar-nominated character actor Frederic Forrest, who starred in The Rose and Apocalypse Now, died Friday in Santa Monica, Calif. at 86 after a long illness.

Bette Midler, his former costar, shared the news on Twitter.

“The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died,” Midler, 77, wrote Friday. “Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”

Director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with him on Apocalypse Now and other films, issued a statement.

“Freddie Forrest was a sweet, much beloved person, a wonderful actor and a good friend. His loss is heartbreaking to me.”

Midler and Forrest starred in the The Rose (1979), with Forrest portraying her limousine-driver-turned-love-interest, Huston Dyer.

The role earned Forrest Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor.

Also in 1979, he starred as Jay “Chef” Hicks in the Francis Ford Coppola classic Apocalypse Now, working alongside Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando.

In a lighter vein, Forrest showed off his comic chops playing the title character’s loopy-but-sweet dad in Martha Coolidge’s 1983 cult classic Valley Girl.

Born on Dec. 23, 1936, in Waxahachie, Texas, Forrest earned a minor in theater arts and a major in radio and television studies at Texas Christian University.

He then headed to New York, where he studied under Sanford Meisner, an accomplished actor and teacher. Forrest later became a part of the Actors Studio, mentored by theater director and actor Lee Strasberg, while working as a page at NBC Studios.

He performed in such Off-Broadway productions as “Viet Rock,” “Silhouettes” and “Futz!” before moving to Los Angeles. He won a role in When Legends Die (1972), earning a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.

He followed with small roles in The Conversation (1974), also directed by Coppola.

His last on-screen appearance was in All The King’s Men in 2006.

He was married to Nancy Ann Whittaker from 1960 to 1963 and​ actress Marilu Henner ​from 1980 to 1983.

The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died. Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 24, 2023

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