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The death of Robert Forster has been announced, the same day as he appeared in one of his most famous late era roles from TV's Breaking Bad movie, El Camino. He got his big break alongside Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor, naked on horseback, in John Huston's Reflections in a Golden Eye, but it was a flop, and it took Medium Cool in 1969 to put his name on the map, Haskell Wexler's politically charged protest drama. Still, he was not quite able to establish himself, though starred in his own detective series Bannion and Nakia in the 70s, and picked up roles in movies like Stunts, Avalanche and The Lady in Red, though a chance at the A list with Disney's The Black Hole also faltered. It was back to the B movies in the 80s with Alligator, Vigilante, The Delta Force and guest roles in Magnum and Tales from the Crypt, and into the 90s with undistinguished efforts like American Yakuza or Original Gangstas.
But then something happened he would never have predicted: he was Oscar nominated for Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown. A wonderful role he brought the full weight of his experience and wry wisdom to, it revitalised his career, brought him new fans and made his loyal fans remember how great he could be. After that, he never looked back: Psycho, Me, Myself & Irene, Mulholland Drive, Grand Theft Parsons, The Simpsons, Heroes, Olympus Has Fallen, Breaking Bad and Twin Peaks, he was in demand in a wide variety of projects. His modesty and good humour were a testament to any actor who plugs away at their job, just waiting for that one, great role. |
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