Veteran Hollywood actor Dick Miller has died aged 90.
The prolific character actor, who appeared in over 100 films during the course of his career, was best known for his roles in Gremlins and The Terminator.
A family spokesperson confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter, saying Miller died of natural causes on Wednesday (January 30) in Toluca Lake, a neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
"His sense of humour and the unique way he looked at the world won him many lifelong friends and worldwide fans," Miller's family said in a statement.
Miller's career spanned over six decades, beginning in the 1950s with legendary director and producer Roger Corman.
He starred as Walter Paisley in the cult classic A Bucket of Blood in 1959. Notable films include The Little Shop of Horrors, The Terror, The Wild Angels, The Dirty Dozen, A Time for Killing and The Terminator and Gremlins in 1984.
Miller is survived by his wife Lainie, daughter Barbara and granddaughter Autumn.
Tributes have been paid to the actor on Twitter, including from director Joe Dante, who worked alongside Miller throughout his career.
I'm devastated to report that one of my best friends and most treasured collaborators has passed away. I "grew up" (kinda) watching Dick Miller in movies from the 50s on and was thrilled to have him in my first movie for @RogerCorman... (1/2)https://t.co/TEsacH8SUW
— Joe Dante (@joe_dante) January 31, 2019
RIP Dick Miller https://t.co/Bs3YjfAnIo pic.twitter.com/7yNxtMp2Ed
— Variety (@Variety) January 31, 2019
Rest In Peace Dick Miller I’m blowing you a kiss. Please catch it.
— Rosanna Arquette (@RoArquette) January 31, 2019
RIP Dick Miller, surely the king of character actors. A friendly, funny face in Gremlins (1&2), Piranha, the original Little Shop Of Horrors, Not Of This Earth, After Hours & my personal beatnik fav, Walter Paisley in 'A Bucket Of Blood'. Any role of his was cult movie nirvana. pic.twitter.com/StRqrWHgBS
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) January 31, 2019
Dick Miller Dead: The ‘Gremlins’ Actor Was 90
— Bruce Campbell (@GroovyBruce) January 31, 2019
Thanks for playing the beleaguered everyman so well - and for so long. https://t.co/c8KMTKLNMN
Sad to note the passing of Dick Miller- terrific character actor.
— Svengoolie (@Svengoolie) January 31, 2019
Rest in peace, #DickMiller, star of Roger Corman‘s Bucket of Blood and good luck charm for so many Corman protégés for decades to follow. His presence in a movie always brought a smile to my face. Thank you sir. pic.twitter.com/o6YFlnetXN
— Leonard Maltin (@leonardmaltin) January 31, 2019
As a lifelong fan of Dick Miller, I was overjoyed to work with him in Corvette Summer. He turned what could have been a throwaway part into a mimi-masterpiece of effortless comic invention. I was awestruck by his timing, energy & a career that spanned 6 decades! #OneOfAKind #RIP pic.twitter.com/H7dCmzgSok
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 31, 2019
A great actor, and an even better person.
— Zach Galligan (@zwgman) January 31, 2019
So privileged to have worked with you. You taught this young actor so much.
My condolences to Lainie and his children.
This one hurts a lot.
Rest in peace, Dick. And thank you.
Richard 'Dick" Miller
1928-2019 pic.twitter.com/M0fZ5uoGdf
It’s the end of an era. Dick Miller was the character actor to end all character actors. One of my favorite cinema faces, full-stop. The movies are slightly less cool now than they were yesterday. Rest In Peace, sir. pic.twitter.com/nKn2wuL2bd
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) January 31, 2019
