TV and Hollywood star Carl W Crudup dies at home as tributes paid to 'wonderful actor'

US actor Carl W Crudup died from prostate cancer on January 10 at his ranch in California, his family have announced

American actor Carl W Crudup has passed away at the age of 79, his family has confirmed. The distinguished performer, who appeared in ER, Shameless and Criminal Minds, died after a battle with prostate cancer at his ranch in Littlerock, California, earlier this year.

Relatives revealed he "found peace and joy, and lived as both actor and farmer" at the property. In a heartfelt tribute, they wrote: "The ranch was Carl's sanctuary, a place of nature, animals and quiet reflection. His goats were treasured like children, and he embodied the heart of the original Dr. Dolittle, gentle, compassionate and endlessly patient."

Throughout his impressive five-decade career, Crudup graced screens in productions including J.D.'s Revenge, The Rockford Files, Better Things and A Man on the Inside. He made his Broadway debut in 1975, performing in The First Breeze of Summer.

His inaugural film appearance came in Karel Reisz's 1974 production The Gambler, featuring James Caan, where Crudup portrayed a basketball player. His television credits encompassed popular series such as ER, Criminal Minds, Shameless, Agent Carter and The White Shadow.

His later work included appearances in Empty Rooms (2012), Halfway to Hell (2013), The Remarkable Life of John Weld (2018) and Horror Noire (2021). Heartfelt tributes have flooded social media following the star's death.

A former colleague shared on Instagram: "Last week, Carl Crudup sadly passed away. He was a wonderful actor and a kind person. There was never a moment in the times we worked together (starting with my first student film) where he wasn't enthusiastic and supportive of me and the projects we were making," reports the Daily Star.

"He would tell a story at lunch, and the ten people sitting next to him wouldn't say a word, enthralled by his experience and wisdom. Countless times, the crew would come up to me and tell me how much fun he was and how much they loved working with him. I never thought that when I called him to be in The Cycle, it would be his last role.

"I know how excited he was about his work in it, and I know how excited I was to work with him many more times. I heard him ask some of the cast on set if they were an "AFL" - "actor for life" - to which Carl absolutely was. He will be missed."

Rel Dowdell, Director of Film Studies at Hampton University, paid tribute in a statement: "He exemplified a truly genuine persona to whatever size of the role he was asked to play.

"Like many unsung African American talents of that era, he used his formal training to always bring charisma and distinction to elevate and bring dignity to the collective work done on any screen."

Fans also expressed their grief on X, with one writing: "How awful, he will be greatly remembered by everyone for his scenes." Another added: "Rest in peace."