Ben Gazzara, who was known for his roles in films, television and on Broadway in the original Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, has died at age 81.
His lawyer confirmed to The New York Times, that the cause of his death was pancreatic cancer.
Born Biagio Anthony Gazzara to Italian immigrant parents, he began his career in live theatre, most notably with the role of Brick in the original Broadway production of Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Elia Kazan. The role was played by Paul Newman in the 1958 film version.
A three-time Tony award nominee for his stage work, Gazzara made his film debut as a sociopathic military academy cadet in the 1957 drama The Strange One, followed by his breakout role as an accused killer in Otto Preminger's 1959 hit courtroom drama Anatomy of a Murder.
His credits also included a role as porn-film producer Jackie Treehorn in the Coen Brothers' 1998 cult comedy classic The Big Lebowski and a supporting role in the 1999 remake of the art heist drama The Thomas Crown Affair starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo.
Gazzara was married three times, with his first two ending in divorce. He is survived by his third wife, Elke, and daughter, Elizabeth.
