Dean Stockwell Dies at 85

Actor Dean Stockwell has passed away in his home on the morning of November 7 from natural causes, according to a rep from the Stockwell family. He was 85 years old.

Stockwell was born in 1936 and began his acting career on Broadway when he was seven years old, beginning his career as a child actor. He worked alongside the likes of big entertainment figures like Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly before winning a Golden Globe Award for his role in the film Gentleman’s Agreement.

Stockwell earned his real estate license and was prepared to make a career change in the early 80s after going back and forth between film acting and Broadway. A phone call from Harry Dean Stanton convinced Stockwell to join him in the 1984 film Paris, Texas, kicking off a string of roles in notable films such as Blue Velvet, Dune, Married to the Mob, The Rainmaker and The Player. Stockwell received an Oscar nomination for his performance in Married to the Mob.

His success led to his most famous role as the lead for the sci-fi TV series Quantum Leap. He received four emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Admiral Al Calavicci. Other television credits include Battlestar Galactica, JAG, The Tony Danza Show and NCIS: New Orleans among others.

Stockwell retired from acting in 2015 and was making and exhibiting art around the United States under his full name Robert Dean Stockwell. He is survived by his wife, Joy Stockwell, and their two children, Austin Stockwell and Sophie Stockwell.