Tragic breaking news for fans of sports films including Hoosiers, Rudy, and The Babe as actor Robert Swan has been confirmed dead at the age of 78. How did the actor pass away? Plus, take a closer look at his incredible career in Hollywood.
Hoosiers & Natural Born Killers Star Robert Swan Dead At 78
According to IMDb, Robert Swan was best known for his roles in Hoosiers, The Untouchables, Backdraft, and Natural Born Killers. He was also extremely popular among fans of sports films for his roles in Hoosiers, Rudy, and The Babe. In total, the actor had 33 acting credits in his name with a career that spanned from the years of 1979 to 2012.
Hollywood Reporterfirst broke the news of Robert Swan’s passing. His cause of death has also been made public. Sadly, he lost his long battle with cancer. Betty Hoeffner, a friend of the actor, tells Hollywood Reporter Robert Swan passed away in the comfort of his own home located in Rolling Prairie, Indiana.
The actor was perhaps best known for his role in the 1986 film titled Hoosiers. In the film, he played the role of an Indiana farmer named Rollin Butcher. His character had two sons who were both on the Hickory High School basketball team. His character was one of the few people in the town who welcomed new coach Norman Dale (played by Gene Hackman) to the team. Later on in the film, his character ends up on the bench as Coach Dale’s assistant.
A Closer Look At His Life
Robert Swan came into the world a little before Halloween on October 20th, 1944. He was born in Chicago. During his youth, he sang as a member of the Church of St. Paul & the Redeemer located in Hyde Park. He also joined many theaters around town. And, he ended up making it to Broadway in the 70s with a role in The Freedom of the City.
It wasn’t until 1980 (when he was in his 40s), that he landed his first role in a movie called Somewhere in Time. In the film, he played the role of a stagehand who ends up in a fight with Christopher Reeve’s character during the year 1912.
Other notches in his Hollywood resume included Take This Job and Shove It, Doctor Detroit, That Was Then … This Is Now, and Betrayed.
In 1988, he even landed a small role in the ABC soap opera All My Children for just one episode.
During his career, he also dabbled in voice acting landing roles in a number of different commercials for companies such as Nine Lives and United Airlines.
The actor is survived by his wife, his brothers, his sister-in-law, his nephews, and his two dogs named Baci and Chico.
Rest in peace, Robert Swan.
