Gavan O'Herlihy

Gavan OHerlihy 29 July 1951 15 September 2021 was an Irish actor whose career spanned film television and stage marked by a distinctive presence and a talent for commanding roles Born in Dublin to actor Dan OHerlihy and artist Elsie Bennett he spent his early years between Ireland and the United States eventually attending Phillips Academy Andover and later the University of California where he excelled as a champion tennis player before turning fully toward acting OHerlihy first gained attention as Chuck Cunningham in the early episodes of Happy Days a role he deliberately left behind to avoid being typecast in light comedic parts He instead built a diverse and often hardedged body of work appearing in major productions including Never Say Never Again as the villainous Jack Petachi Superman III Death Wish 3 Willow as the warrior Airk Thaughbaer and the acclaimed miniseries Lonesome Dove His television career was equally varied with appearances in Twin Peaks Star Trek Voyager The Six Million Dollar Man Murder She Wrote and numerous British productions after relocating to the UK Across more than fifty screen credits OHerlihy became known for portraying complex often formidable characters soldiers outlaws antagonists and men with a dangerous edge roles he embraced for the challenge and dramatic weight they offered Offscreen he was regarded as thoughtful private and deeply committed to his craft preferring character work over celebrity He died in Bath England on 15 September 2021 at the age of 70 reportedly of natural causes