Bill Paxton dead at 61

Bill Paxton, the Emmy-nominated actor who had parts in some of the biggest blockbusters of the last 30 years, died Saturday of complications during heart surgery, sources close to Paxton confirmed.

Paxton, 61, brought his all-American brand to roles in “Twister”, “Titanic”, “Apollo 13” and the HBO series “Big Love.”

“It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery,” a representative for the family said.

TMZ reported that Paxton suffered a fatal stroke during complications following heart surgery.

He is survived by his two children and his wife of 30 years,Louise Newbury.

“A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker. Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable.”

Paxton was born in Texas in 1955, and made his first foray in the film industry in the 1970s and became a household name with his role in “Aliens” (1986) for which he won a Saturn Award. He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for “Apollo 13” (1995), and was nominated for an Emmy for his role in the 2012 TV miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys.”

He was currently starring in the CBS series “Training Day,” a spin-off of the feature film about a rookie cop working under the tutelage of a corrupt officer.

Rob Lowe, who played Jesse James along Paxton’s Frank James in “Frank and Jesse,” wrote, “Devastated by the sudden loss of my close friend and one of the finest actors in the business, Bill Paxton. Renaissance man, raconteur and uniquely American national treasure. His filmography speaks for itself. His friendship was a blessing. In his memory, on this Oscar Sunday, watch One False Moveor A Simple Planto see this lovely leading man, at his finest.”

“Bill Paxton was notoriously one of the nicest people in the industry. He also gave us some of the all-time most iconic movie moments,” actor Jordan Peele tweeted.