Whitney Rydbeck has died. She was a beloved actor who had a small but memorable part in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.
The veteran actor had been in more than 50 movies and TV shows. He was 79 years old.
Whitney passed away because of problems with her prostate cancer.
The actor lived for a long time and died while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California.
The news was confirmed by Tommy McLoughlin, who has known him for a long time and directed Jason Lives.
Many people liked his part as a paintball soldier in the scary sequel who tried to shoot Jason Vorhees while wearing a hockey mask, but it didn’t work out.
In a touching Instagram post on Saturday, McLoughlin also talked about the actor’s life and work.
“We lost not only a truly funny comedian and actor … but one of the most good-hearted human beings I’ve ever known,” the writer said.
“VERY SAD NEWS”
Fans shared their sadness over Whitney’s death in the comments section, along with memories of him on-screen.
He added a lot to Jason Lives with his funny act, fear, naivety, and paintball skills. But people who only saw this guy on TV for a few minutes remember him when they go paintballing. A very sad loss. “₤️,” someone wrote.
“Man, that’s really sad news. “He was great, and Jason Lives was funny and easy to remember,” wrote someone else.
“He did so much with such a small part.” “Rest in peace,” wrote a third.
“Rest in peace.” “He stole the show!” wrote a fourth.
“WROTE THE PART FOR HIM”
Yesterday, the director of Jason Lives also made a very moving statement that they shared with the horror movie website Bloody Disgusting.
“It breaks my heart to say that we lost the incredibly talented physical comedian and actor Whitney Rydbeck on Monday night.”
His role was Roy, the nerdy businessman and paintball player. Even after almost 40 years, his comedic work is still making people laugh.
“Because I knew how talented he was, I wrote the Roy part in Jason Lives just for him.” Over the years, we also became good friends.
“He is the most loving, caring, and kind person I have ever met.” It has been so heartbreaking to see him struggle with cancer for the past year and a half.
“About a year ago, he was on stage with almost the whole cast of Jason Lives at an American Cinematique screening that was sold out.” Even though he was sick, his stories and antics made his fans laugh.
AMAZING HISTORY
She was born in Los Angeles on March 13, 1945, and went to Pasadena High School and graduated.
After that, he went to Pasadena City College and then Cal State Fullerton to study theater.
In 1970, he got his start on TV with a small role in Nanny and the Professor. After that, roles kept coming his way.
Whitney was in movies and TV shows from 1970 to 2007 that weren’t scary.
Some of them were Lassie, Rocky II, The Brady Bunch, Star Trek: The Next Generation, MAS*H, Murder, She Wrote, 3rd Rock from the Sun, 7th Heaven, and Scrubs.
But as crash test dummy “Larry” in TV PSAs telling people to wear seatbelts, that may have been his most important role.
Whitney’s first outfit from the PSA ended up in the Smithsonian.
The actor taught drama at Pasadena City College not long ago.
His longtime partner, Claire, will miss him.
