Samuel French, an acclaimed character actor known for his roles in Killers of the Flower Moon and Fear the Walking Dead, has died at the age of 45 following a prolonged battle with cancer. He passed away on Friday, May 9.
French’s passing was confirmed by casting director and filmmaker Paul Sinacore, who directed the actor’s final performance in the upcoming independent drama Towpath.
In a heartfelt tribute, Sinacore remembered French as “a dear friend and an incredible actor,” praising his performance as Detective Bernard Crooke, which also stars Eric Roberts and is currently in post-production.
“Together, we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realize a shared creative vision,” Sinacore said in a statement to Deadline. “Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame—unfiltered, fearless, and alive. He gave himself completely to the work, and it showed. I am deeply saddened by his loss and only wish he could have seen the final cut. He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever. My heart goes out to his family, and especially to his daughter—he loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness.”
Born on January 26, 1980, French made his television debut in 2015 in the History Channel’s limited series Texas Rising. He went on to appear in the hit series Fear the Walking Dead, and later portrayed Agent CJ Robinson in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 Oscar-nominated historical epic Killers of the Flower Moon, acting alongside Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Samuel French is survived by his daughter, Madison; her mother, Melinda Acosta; his parents, Thomas and Evelyn French; and his brothers, Andy and Danny.
French’s passing was confirmed by casting director and filmmaker Paul Sinacore, who directed the actor’s final performance in the upcoming independent drama Towpath.
In a heartfelt tribute, Sinacore remembered French as “a dear friend and an incredible actor,” praising his performance as Detective Bernard Crooke, which also stars Eric Roberts and is currently in post-production.
“Together, we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realize a shared creative vision,” Sinacore said in a statement to Deadline. “Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame—unfiltered, fearless, and alive. He gave himself completely to the work, and it showed. I am deeply saddened by his loss and only wish he could have seen the final cut. He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever. My heart goes out to his family, and especially to his daughter—he loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness.”
Born on January 26, 1980, French made his television debut in 2015 in the History Channel’s limited series Texas Rising. He went on to appear in the hit series Fear the Walking Dead, and later portrayed Agent CJ Robinson in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 Oscar-nominated historical epic Killers of the Flower Moon, acting alongside Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Samuel French is survived by his daughter, Madison; her mother, Melinda Acosta; his parents, Thomas and Evelyn French; and his brothers, Andy and Danny.
You may also like
Love Island winners split just a week after going official
BIT Sindri orders first-year students to vacate hostel after violent clash with seniors
'I'm at Cannes Film Festival and this is best place to spot celebs - but it's not cheap'
State pension age rise update as UK savers facing £10bn blow
Elon Musk hogs limelight with awkward act in front of Donald Trump in Saudi
