RIP: Richard Lynch, acclaimed character actor

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

While we have yet to receive official confirmation, numerous sources have confirmed that actor Richard Lynch passed away. Throughout his career, which spanned four decades and over 100 movies, Lynch portrayed a number of memorable villains.

His feature debut was the 1973 movie SCARECROW, alongside Gene Hackman and Al Pacino, while some of his other memorable films include THE SEVEN-UPS, OPEN SEASON, GOD TOLD ME TO, DEATHSPORT, THE NINTH CONFIGURATION and INVASION USA, where he faced off against Chuck Norris himself. His distinctive, scarred face (the result of a drug-induced accident he sustained in his youth) led him to play mostly supporting roles, but he also scored some memorable leading performances, most notably in the TV movie VAMPIRE. The actor also frequently ventured into sci-fi and horror territory with films such as the 1988 movie BAD DREAMS. The role of the villainous King Cromwell in THE SWORD AND THE SORCEROR landed him the prestigious Saturn Award for Best Actor from the Academy of Science Fiction and Fantasy in 1982. His last movie appearance was in the latest, yet unreleased, Rob Zombie film THE LORDS OF SALEM. Apart from his career as an actor, Richard Lynch was also a talented musician and a former US Marine Corporal.

Although some sources state his age at 72, most claim he was actually 76 at the time of his passing. Our condolences go out to Mr. Lynch’s family and friends.