Thomas Garza Photography/Getty Samuel French, who is best known for appearing in the 2023 filmKillers of the Flower Moon, has died Paul Sinacore, a film producer who worked with French onTowpath, confirmed the actor's death on Instagram Sinacore said French had a cancer that spread throughout his body over the last couple of years Samuel French, an actor best known for his roles inKillers of the Flower MoonandThe Walking Deadfranchise, died on Friday, May 9 in Waco, Texas. He was 45 years old. Paul Sinacore, a film producer who worked with the late actor on the upcoming movieTowpath, confirmed the news onInstagram, writing that French was a "magnetic actor [who was] celebrated for his explosive performances and uncompromising dedication to his craft." According toThe Hollywood Reporter, the actor had been diagnosed with cancer, which "had spread through his body over the past couple of years." "Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor," Sinacore wrote on Instagram. Samuel French/Instagram The writer-director noted that "Towpathwouldn't exist without him," and praised French for the "incredible intensity" he brought to his role as Detective Bernard Crooke in the period drama, which is centered around the death of a woman during the 1964 during the civil rights movement. Sinacore also shared that the late actor "gave everything we had to realize a shared creative vision" and helped "set the tone" for the movie. "Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame — unfiltered, fearless, and alive. He gave himself completely to the work, and it showed," he continued. "He gave himself completely to the work, and it showed." "I am deeply saddened by his loss and only wish he could have seen the final cut. He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever. My heart goes out to his family, and especially to his daughter—he loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness. His friendship had an unexpectedly profound impact on my life," Sinacore concluded. Parmount Pictures Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. French starred in a handful of films and movies before his death, first getting his start with guest roles on TV shows, likeTexas RisingandThe Mark of a Killeras well asFear the Walking Dead, appearing as the character Ben in season 6. His most notable role was inMartin Scorsese's 2023Killers of the Flower Moon. In the historical true crime saga, he portrayed CJ Robinson, an undercover agent involved in investigating the Osage murders in the 1920s. "He shared the screen with Robert De Niro in a performance that brought understated power and quiet intensity to the acclaimed historical epic," Sinacore wrote on Instagram. Samuel French/Instagram According toThe Hollywood Reporter, French landed the role after attending a casting call in Waco, where Scorsese saw and hired for the film. His scene with De Niro was shot during his first day on set and even earned him praise from the Oscar-winning director. "No one could have played Robinson as well as you did," Scorsese told French, according to Sinacore. French also starred in 2023'sJoe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sisterand would go on to star inBlood Dried Handsand make an appearance inCherry Town 2023. He is also set to make posthumous in four upcoming projects, includingTowpathandMonsters Within. In hisfinal poston Instagram, French celebrated his win for best supporting actor at the 2025 Cowpokes International Film Festival for his role of Cyrus inMonsters Within. He thanked the film's director "for creating an amazing character that I could sink my teeth into" and congratulated the "rest of our amazing cast." Read the original article onPeople
