RIP: Cabin Fever star Robert Harris passes away at 85

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

It's a testament to the tight-knit nature of the horror community that even small roles can seize the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere. These stories can be found in the unlikeliest of places, from an anonymous stunt man who agreed to put on a hockey mask to a monster's bride that steals only a few minutes of screen time.

It's with a heavy heart that we report the end of one of these stories: Robert Harris, whose brief role in CABIN FEVER earned him both his SAG card and widespread fan appreciation, has passed away today at 85 years old.

Eli Roth shared this touching tribute on Instagram along with a photo, shown below:

#tbt in honor of the great Robert Harris, who passed away today at the age of 85. He was truly one of the sweetest most lovely and lively people I ever had the honor of working with. Cabin Fever was his first movie after a lifetime in theater and for the North Carolina premiere he rented a Bentley and wore a tux. That guy had style! He also had amazing improv skills, his whole Shirley Temple bottle rant was done in one take. He did theater in North Carolina and always was the local Santa Claus. I'll never forget how hard we all laughed filming that final scene with the rifle, he just made the whole moment perfect. Robert Harris you will be missed.

Below, you can also feel free to watch the scene that gave Robert Harris (who was an accomplished theater actor up to this point) his first film role. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and we hope that everyone whose lives he has touched takes a moment today to remember him.