Ben Gazzara dies aged 81

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

Actor Ben Gazzara has passed away at the age of 81. Best known recently for his roles in The Big Lebowski and Roadhouse, He was an actor of stage and screen since 1952. He passed away having been getting treated for throat and pancreatic cancer since 1999

In my opinion, he will best be remembered for two roles. Firstly as Cosmo in the John Cassavetes film, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976). This was a tour de force performance by an actor at the top of his game. I was fortunate enough to catch this film last year as part of my interest in John Cassavetes. One of the best films I saw in the last twelve months. The other role was considered by many as his film breakthrough role as the defendant in the Otto Preminger film Anatomy of a Murder(1959) alongside James Stewart.

He will be missed.

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John McArthur

Editor-in-Chief at Moviescramble. A Fan of all things cinematic with a love of Film Noir, Sci-Fi and Julia Roberts in Notting Hill. He hopes to grow up some day.