Washington [US], May 13: Samuel French, actor known for his roles in Killers of the Flower Moon, Fear the Walking Dead, and Texas Rising, has passed away at the age of 45 in Waco, Texas, after a year-long battle with cancer.
Born on January 26, 1980, French moved with his family to Clifton, Texas at the age of three. He graduated from high school there and later pursued his passion for acting in Austin and Dallas, where he earned early credits including roles in Texas Rising and Fear the Walking Dead. His filmography includes projects such as Pegasus: Pony With a Broken Wing, The Pro Bono Watchman, and the 2024 thriller Blood Dried Hands.
His final performance was in the upcoming crime thriller Towpath, directed by Paul Sinacore, where he portrayed Detective Bernard Crooke. In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, Sinacore said:
“Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor… ‘Towpath’ wouldn’t exist without him. The intensity he brought to the role set the tone for the entire film. He gave himself completely to the work—unfiltered, fearless, and alive.”
“He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever. My heart goes out to his family, especially his daughter—he loved her deeply and spoke of her with pride and tenderness.”
French appeared in Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese’s historical epic starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, centered on the Osage Nation murders during the early 20th century.
Samuel French is survived by his daughter Madison, her mother Melinda Acosta, his parents Thomas and Evelyn, and his brothers Andy and Danny.