James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, and others remember Bill Paxton

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

The passing of actor/director Bill Paxton still has us all reeling. Such a tragic end to such an amazing career. When I think back on Paxton I tend to think of the films her made with James Cameron. The most well-known of course is ALIENS, but Paxton was also in TITANIC, TRUE LIES, and a small cameo as "punk leader" in TERMINATOR.

James Cameron recently spoke to Vanity Fair about Bill Paxton's passing, and sent out this touching message to all:

I've been reeling from this for the past half hour, trying to wrap my mind and heart around it. Bill leaves such a void. He and I were close friends for 36 years, since we met on the set of a Roger Corman ultra-low budget movie. He came in to work on set, and I slapped a paint brush in his hand and pointed to a wall, saying "Paint that!" We quickly recognized the creative spark in each other and became fast friends. What followed was 36 years of making films together, helping develop each others' projects, going on scuba diving trips together, watching each others kids growing up, even diving the Titanic wreck together in Russian subs. It was a friendship of laughter, adventure, love of cinema, and mutual respect. Bill wrote beautiful heartfelt and thoughtful letters, an anachronism in this age of digital shorthand. He took good care of his relationships with people, always caring and present for others. He was a good man, a great actor, and a creative dynamo. I hope that amid the gaudy din of Oscar night, people will take a moment to remember this wonderful man, not just for all the hours of joy he brought to us with his vivid screen presence, but for the great human that he was. The world is a lesser place for his passing, and I will profoundly miss him.

On top of Cameron's words, Sigourney Weaver shared this with Rolling Stone:

"Bill brought such authenticity to everything he did – in life and in his work. He was the quintessential Texan – incredibly charming, warm, generous, always with a twinkle in his eye. He loved his family, his friends, his work and gave them his all. I can't believe he's gone."

Also, Shock Till You Drop reached out to Paxton's NEAR DARK co-star Jenny Wright and asked her to share her feelings and memories of her former co-star and friend.

From Jenny: 

“Bill was, with his self-deprecating hit home humor, like a favorite family member no matter how long it had been since I’d seen him. The world was a kinder, gentler place with him in it and I know he will be missed and remembered by all whose lives he touched. He was, as an actor should be, a true humanitarian and a man among men, never holding himself above another or a task on hand. I am so sad that his life was ended so abruptly. He leaves behind a wife and at least one son. And many friends. To know Bill was to love him. Rest in Peace Bill.”

Also Lance Henriksen posted a pic to his Facebook of the two, which you can see below. Gotta love the fact that these are the only two actors to be killed by an Alien, a Predator and a Terminator.

R.I.P. Bill Paxton.