Dutch actor Rutger Hauer died at the age of 75 at his home in the Netherlands.
Known for roles in Blade Runner and True Blood, the star passed away following a ‘short illness,’ according to a statement from his non-profit association Wednesday.
Steve Kenis, the rep for Rutger, also confirmed the sad news that the star died on July 19 and his funeral was held on Wednesday.
Tragic: Dutch actor Rutger Hauer died at the age of 75 at his home in the Netherlands, Variety reported Wednesday
Hauer made a name for himself in supernatural and horror projects but his most notable and beloved role was as Roy Batty opposite Harrison Ford in Blade Runner.
He reportedly rewrote the dialogue for his famous final monologue in the film where his character Roy passes away and improvised the most famous line.
‘Lost in time, like tears in rain,’ he says in the scene and then smiles, adding: ‘time to die.’
The line has been quoted across social media by fans commemorating the life of the star.
Famous role: Hauer made a name for himself in supernatural and horror projects but his most notable and beloved role was as Roy Batty opposite Harrison Ford in Blade Runner
‘Rutger Hauer rewrote the dialogue for his final scene in BLADE RUNNER, as gorgeous and poignant a moment in a movie as any,’ a fan tweeted. ‘Tears in rain. Time to die.’
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro took to Twitter to express his grief at the loss and reminisce about his favorite roles.
‘RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films,’ del Toro wrote.
Adding: ‘My personal favorites: Flesh + Blood, Eureka, The Hitcher, Blade Runner, Ladyhawke and Blind Fury.’
True talent: He reportedly rewrote the dialogue for his famous final monologue in the film where his character Roy passes away and improvised the most famous line which fans are quoting on social media to commemorate him
RIP: Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro took to Twitter to express his grief at the loss and reminisce about his favorite roles
‘Lost in time, like tears in rain,’ he says in the scene and then smiles, adding: ‘time to die.’
Rutger had a decades long and storied career in acting which began back in 1969.
He won a Golden Globe for the 1987 British TV movie Escape from Sobibor starring Alan Arkin.
The star continued working up until his untimely passing, with several projects in the works.
Most recently he starred in the television series Porters and he has several films in post-production.
Storied career: Rutger had a decades long career in acting which began back in 1969 and even won a Golden Globe for the 1987 British TV movie Escape from Sobibor (pictured with Michelle Pfeiffer in Ladyhawke in 1985)
Hard at work: According to his IMDB he was in the midst of filming a television miniseries remake of A Christmas Carol with Guy Pearce. Rutger was playing the Ghost of Christmas Future (pictured in Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1992)
According to his IMDB he was in the midst of filming a television miniseries remake of A Christmas Carol with Guy Pearce. Rutger was playing the Ghost of Christmas Future.
He also had two other projects that had not begun filming.
In 2013, Hauer was given the prestigious title of knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion.
Honored: In 2013, Hauer was given the prestigious title of knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion and he was an environmentalism and advocate for various causes that were close to his heart (pictured in True Blood)
Off screen, he was an environmentalism and advocate for various causes that were close to his heart.
He previously launched the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association, a non-profit organization aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and specifically helping focusing children and pregnant women impacted by the virus.
‘The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association announces with infinite sadness that after a very short illness, on Friday, July 19, 2019, Rutger passed away peacefully at his Dutch home,’ the association said in a statement.
‘The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association announces with infinite sadness that after a very short illness, on Friday, July 19, 2019, Rutger passed away peacefully at his Dutch home,’ his non profit association said in a statement.
‘He leaves his beloved wife Ineke, after they have been together for fifty years.
‘We at Starfish will always cherish the many unforgettable memories we have of Rutger and his dedication to the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association.
‘One of Rutger’s last wishes was that Starfish should continue its charity activity and its fight against the AIDS disease, and with Ineke’s precious help, involvement and direction we will follow Rutger’s wish and will do our best to carry on Rutger’s inestimable legacy.’
‘One of Rutger’s last wishes was that Starfish should continue its charity activity and its fight against the AIDS disease, and with Ineke’s precious help, involvement and direction we will follow Rutger’s wish and will do our best to carry on Rutger’s inestimable legacy.’ (pictured in one of his last public appearances in April 2019)