Entertainment
Star Actor From Hit Scorsese Film Passes Away At 45
Samuel French, the actor who served legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese reliably in “Killers of the Flower Moon” and earlier held a notable role in the “Walking Dead” spinoff “Fear the Walking Dead,” has died tragically young at just 45 years old.
Director Paul Sinacore confirmed the Texas native passed away after a yearslong battle with cancer. He drew his last breath in his hometown of Waco.
Sinacore, who worked with French in his final role in the upcoming film “Towpath,” paid tribute to his friend and colleague in a statement.
“Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor,” Sinacore wrote on Instagram. “’Towpath’ wouldn’t exist without him, and the incredible intensity he brought to the role of Detective Bernard Crooke set the tone for the entire film.”
“Together we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realize a shared creative vision,” Sinacore continued. “Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame — unfiltered, fearless, and alive. He gave himself completely to the work, and it showed.”
“I am deeply saddened by his loss and only wish he could have seen the final cut,” the filmmaker added, according to the NY Post. “He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever.”
Sinacore described the fatherly love he saw French carry every day for his daughter Madison, 12.
“He loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness,” Sinacore wrote. “His friendship had an unexpectedly profound impact on my life.”
The two men worked right up until French’s death. Before the news was broken, Sinacore’s last post showed a selfie with French and fellow actor Eric Roberts on the set of “Towpath.”
“For Sam, a dream come true to be in a scene with Eric. After their last take together, Eric acknowledged the raw, truthful and powerful presence that Sam brought to the scene,” Sinacore wrote.
Born January 26, 1980, French got a late start in acting, chiefly because he refused to join the glitterati in Hollywood. He shuttled between Austin and Dallas, eventually landing his first role in the 2015 miniseries “Texas Rising,” also starring Bill Paxton, Ray Liotta, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Brendan Fraser.
His credits earned French the role of Ben in the 2020 season of “Fear the Walking Dead,” a prequel to the groundbreaking apocalyptic zombie series. In 2023, he took the titular role in “Joe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sister.”
Noticed by Scorsese, French was picked up for the Oscar-nominated picture “Killers of the Flower Moon” about settlers murdering local Native Americans to claim their land. He played FBI Agent CJ Robinson, who was sent in to explore the grisly killings based on real-life events.
Despite receiving a stunning 10 Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture, “Killers of the Flower Moon” did not receive a single award.
French is survived by his daughter’s mother, Melinda Acosta, his parents, Thomas and Evelyn, and his brothers, Andy and Danny.
Sinacore said a funeral for his friend will take place Friday, May 16, at First Baptist Church in Valley Mills, Texas.
