Denis Arndt, the Tony Award-nominated actor whose many onscreen roles included starring in “S.W.A.T.” and famously interrogating Sharon Stone in “Basic Instinct,” has died. He was 86.
Arndt died “peacefully in his bed” at his longtime cabin residence in Ashland, Oregon on Tuesday, his household introduced in an obituary printed Wednesday.
“In his own way, Dad lived his life as a full and generous performance, known for his incredible wit, charm, rebel spirit, irreverence, sense of humor, grittiness, and passion for his art,” Arndt’s household wrote.
“His legacy, both on and off stage, will live on in the hearts of family, friends, and community members,” they continued. “He was charming, handsome, present in the moment, spontaneous, and magnetic – a true Renaissance man.”
Veteran actor Denis Arndt has died on the age of 86. (Getty/TriStar /courtesy Everett Assortment)
Arndt was born in Issaquah, Washington on Feb. 23, 1939 – which his household famous was the identical yr that the traditional film “The Wizard of Oz,” was launched and pioneered the usage of Technicolor in cinema.
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“That was like Dad’s life,” his household wrote. “It started out in black and white and blossomed into a life of color, brilliance, daring adventure, and passion.”
Arndt served as a U.S. Military helicopter pilot within the Vietnam Battle and was awarded the Purple Coronary heart twice. After leaving the navy, Arndt flew helicopters in Alaska earlier than shifting to Seattle, the place he launched his appearing profession after a buddy satisfied him to audition at an area theater.
“Of course, Dad got the main role,” his household wrote. “And he was brilliant. He carried his brilliance, passion, and dedication into his second career as an actor, both on stage and on screen.”
Arndt’s household famous that he “spent multiple seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival” in Ashland earlier than embarking on a profession in Hollywood.
Arndt’s household stated that he handed away peacefully at his Oregon residence. ( Noam Galai/WireImage)
The actor made his onscreen debut within the 1974 TV film “Runaway on Rogue River” and his early tv profession included visitor appearances in “The Wonder Years,” “Murder, She Wrote” and “Life Goes On.”
Arndt performed the husband of Mary Tyler Moore’s titular character within the TV sequence “Annie McGuire” from 1988 to 1989. From 1990 to 1991, he had a recurring function in David E. Kelly’s “L.A. Law.” Kelley would later solid Arndt in numerous his different authorized dramas together with “Picket Fences,” “Ally McBeal,” “The Practice” and “Boston Legal.”
“He has earned a standing ovation for the remarkable life he led,”
One in all Arndt’s earliest movie roles was within the 1992 erotic thriller “Basic Instinct.” He portrayed Lieutenant Phillip Walker, one of many investigators who interrogated Sharon Stone’s character Catherine Tramell in one in all film’s most iconic scenes.
From left: George Dzundza, Michael Douglas, Wayne Knight, Denis Arndt, Chelcie Ross, Sharon Stone in 1992’s “Basic Instinct.” (TriStar /courtesy Everett Assortment)
He appeared within the 1995 drama “How to Make An American Quilt” and the 2001 sports activities drama “Undisputed.”
In 2003, Arndt starred as Sgt. Howard in “S.W.A.T.,” the motion thriller film based mostly on the Nineteen Seventies sequence of the identical identify.
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Along with his appearances in Kelley’s TV exhibits, Arndt’s later tv work included visitor roles in “Grey’s Anatomy,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Vanished,” “Supernatural” and “The Good Fight.”
Arndt is pictured throughout a visitor look in “Grey’s Anatomy.” (Richard Cartwright/Disney Normal Leisure Content material through Getty Photos)
Arndt’s ultimate onscreen work included a 2018 visitor look on the TV present “How to Get Away with Murder” and a job within the 2023 quick movie “The Do-Over.”
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In his obituary, Arndt’s household wrote that he “reached the pinnacle of his career” when he obtained a Tony Award nomination for his efficiency within the Broadway play “Heisenberg” in 2017.
Arndt’s household famous that they’d maintain a non-public funeral service for the actor, including “in lieu of flowers, he would request you go grab life by the balls and follow your passion.”
The actor obtained a Tony Award nomination for his efficiency within the Broadway play “Heisenberg.” (Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
“As the final curtain falls, we bid farewell to our Dad, knowing he has earned a standing ovation for the remarkable life he led,” the obituary concluded.
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Arndt is survived by his spouse of 45 years, Magee Downey, his seven youngsters and “many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren” in addition to his niece.
