TEARS IN THE RAIN
Rutger Hauer dead – Blade Runner actor dies aged 75 after short illness
FILM legend Rutger Hauer has died aged 75, his agent confirmed today.
The Dutch actor - who starred opposite Harrison Ford in 1982 hit Blade Runner - passed away at home in the Netherlands after a short illness.
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His agent Steve Kenis confirmed the star was buried in a private ceremony this morning.
Hauer starred as replicant Roy Batty in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.
The character famously tells Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard: "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.
"I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die."
Scores of grieving fans quoted the line as they paid tribute on social media.
He went on to appear as Cardinal Rock in Sin City, and a villain in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins.
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He was an outspoken supporter of environmental organisation Greenpeace, and co-founded the Starfish Association - a nonprofit devoted to raising AIDS awareness.
The association said: "The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association announces with infinite sadness that after a very short illness, on Friday, July 19 2019, Rutger passed away peacefully at his Dutch home.
"He leaves behind his beloved wife Ineke, after they have been together fifty years.
"We at Starfish will always cherish the many unforgettable memories we have of Rutger and his dedication to the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association.
"One of Rutger’s last wishes was that Starfish should continue its charity activity and its fight against the AIDS disease, and with Ineke’s precious help, involvement and direction we will follow Rutger’s wish and will do our best to carry on Rutger’s inestimable legacy."
Shape of Water director Guillemero del Toro led the tributes, tweeting: "RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films."
Hauer was born on 23 January 1944 in Breukelen, near Amsterdam.
He started out in the Dutch merchant Navy but returned to Amsterdam to study acting in 1962.
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He quit for the Army, before getting his small screen break as the star of cult Dutch series Floris.
Hauer is survived by Ineke ten Cate, his wife of 50 years.
A previous marriage to Heidi Merz led to one daughter - actress Aysha Hauer.
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