“The Comancheros” Actor Stuart Whitman Dies At 92

Old Hollywood legend Stuart Whitman has died at the age of 92.

According to TMZ Whitman was surrounded by family at the time of his death. He had been battling complications due to skin cancer and had recently been in and out of the hospital. He passed away Monday morning in his Montecito home.

Whitman’s son Justin paid tribute to his father via TMZ:

“Old Hollywood lost another one of its true stars. Stuart Whitman was known for his rugged roles and handsome charm. We were proud of him for his tv, film roles and his Oscar nomination, but what we will really remember is his exuberant love of his family and friends.”

Whitman’s daughter-in-law posted about his death on Instagram captioning a multitude of photos of him throughout his career and life saying:

We lost a treasure yesterday. I’m sure my handsome and charming father-in-law’s star will shine as bright in heaven as it has here on earth. He was a movie star and a cowboy all the way through! I love the way @justinwhitman put it when he said “We are proud of his film and television work and his Oscar nomination but what we will really remember is his exuberant love for his family and friends.” We loved him and he certainly made us feel loved. We will miss him so much. It is hard to say goodbye but we are grateful for the great times we had. 

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Whitman starred in numerous films including The Longest Day (1962) as captured below and shared to John Wayne’s official Instagram page.

John Wayne and Stuart Whitman play a game of chess while Steve Forrest watches during a break from filming of The Longest Day (1962). All three actors played members of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its valor on D-Day.

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Whitman was nominated for multiple awards including an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1962 for his role in The Mark (1961) a controversial movie where he played a recovering child molester battling psychological torment.

According to The New York Times after hearing of his Oscar nomination on the radio while driving through Los Angeles he recalled, “I almost drove off the road.”

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Whitman earned his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 1, 1998. His star is seen below in an Instagram post his daughter-in-law posted with his granddaughter.

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In addition to being a prolific actor, Whitman was a devoted family man.

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Whitman’s last onscreen appearance was in 2000 on the CBS movie President’s Man, starring Chuck Norris.

Whitman is survived by his wife Julia, whom he married in 2006; his children Justin, Anthony, Michael, Linda and Scott; brother Kipp and sister-in-law Beth; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Whitman’s family said in a statement:

“He loved Jack Daniel’s, Padron cigars, getting his hands dirty with work on his ranch, watching the birds and gazing out upon the Pacific Ocean. He adored people and embraced everyone equally, whether it was his longtime colleague Frank Sinatra, his ever-growing collection of friends or a repairman in his home. He took daily tennis lessons in preparation for heated matches and was gracious in both victory and defeat. An avid storyteller, he was forever the center of attention, living by his mother’s creed, which he took joy in repeating, ‘Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes.'”

Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this very difficult time.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Watch some highlights of The Comancheros below.