Rutger Hauer, Blade Runner Star, Dies Aged 75

His character gave the film's famous "tears in rain" speech.
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Actor Rutger Hauer has died at the age of 75, his agent has confirmed.

Following a short period of illness, the star died on Friday 19 July at his home in the Netherlands and his funeral was held on Wednesday.

Rutger Hauer
Rutger Hauer
Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP

The veteran actor featured in many films and TV shows over the years, but remains best-known for playing Roy Batty in Blade Runner.

The role saw him star opposite Harrison Ford and in the film’s closing moments, he delivered the famous “tears in rain” speech.

Following confirmation of the sad news, famous faces including director Guillermo Del Toro paid tribute to Rutger.

“RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films,” Del Toro tweeted. “My personal favorites: Flesh + Blood, Eureka, The Hitcher, Blade Runner, Ladyhawke and Blind Fury.”

RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films. My personal favorites: Flesh + Blood, Eureka, The Hitcher, Blade Runner, Ladyhawke and Blind Fury. pic.twitter.com/1F2Via3mLY

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 24, 2019

Fans also tweeted their condolences:

Gutted to learn of Rutger Hauer's passing. Gone at 75, yet immortal, thanks to all the mad, wonderful movies he left us with.
"Good guy or bad guy, hero or anti hero; It doesn't matter to me what role I play, as long as the character has something magical." pic.twitter.com/Qlcxu4Td9s

— Marshall Julius (@MarshallJulius) July 24, 2019

Fare thee well, Rutger Hauer...

"All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain." pic.twitter.com/2Eu6thvQnM

— Pulp Librarian (@PulpLibrarian) July 24, 2019

I have no words. RIP Rutger Hauer pic.twitter.com/C42g1gmGMZ

— Pascal Blanché 🌎🍁 (@pascalblanche) July 24, 2019

Rutger Hauer, who improvised off of David Peoples' original script to give us the most iconic death soliloquy in cinematic history. #RIPRutgerHauer and Roy. https://t.co/cMlQycj2OT

— Jamie Ford (@JamieFord) July 24, 2019

One of my favorite Rutger Hauer roles was in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. I'm a big fan of the movie and he's in it for only like 20 seconds but he's great in it. pic.twitter.com/uiNeu2AGD7

— Level 9000 Ya-Drew Druid Drew Davenport (@The_Davenporter) July 24, 2019

Rutger, who was born near Amsterdam, was well-known for appearing in horror films and starred as Van Helsing in a 3D Dracula film.

More recently, he appeared in the TV series Porters, alongside Daniel Mays, Susan Wokoma and Tanya Franks.

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