Tremendously sad news is coming in today, as the legendary John Saxon has reportedly passed away. Horror fans will especially appreciate Saxon for his role in A Nightmare on Elm Street, though the accomplished actor has shined in a variety of other performances as well. According to his wife, Saxon sadly died of pneumonia in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was 83 years old.
Saxon has been in a variety of beloved movies, and for big fans of the actor, it would be incredibly difficult to pick a favorite performance. He tussled with Bruce Lee in the martial arts movie Enter the Dragon, played a police chief in the cult horror classic Black Christmas, and starred opposite Marlon Brando in The Appaloosa. He can also be seen in movies like From Dusk till Dawn, Portrait in Black, Death of a Gunfighter, and Raid on Entebbe. And these are just a few of the many, many roles Saxon had over the course of his career.
Certainly, Saxon’s role in Wes Craven’s 1984 slasher flick A Nightmare on Elm Street would rank high among the actor’s most popular roles. In the horror flick, which also starred Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, and Johnny Depp, Saxon played Donald Thompson — a policeman and the father of the final girl, Langenkamp’s Nancy Thompson. He reprised the role for A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors before later playing himself in the meta horror film Wes Craven’s New Nightmare.
Saxon’s survivors include his wife, Gloria Martel, with whom he’s been married since 2008; sons, Antonio and Lance; grandson Mitchell; great-grandson John; and sister Dolores. Our thoughts go out to them at this time. Through many decades, Saxon had entertained millions with his excellent performances, and he will undoubtedly be missed.
Rest in peace, John Saxon.
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