Actor Samuel French, known for his role in the Oscar-nominated film Killers of the Flower Moon, has died aged 45 after a battle with cancer.
The Hollywood Reporter was informed by French’s friend and writer-director Paul Sinacore that he had ben battling a cancer that spread throughout his body over the last few years.
Two weeks ago, the actor posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed to Instagram captioned, “Getting IV for much needed hydration…”
Watch the video above
READ MORE: Zara Tindall says the royal family is ‘going through the same struggles’ as regular people
He died in a hospital in his birthplace of Waco, Texas on May 9, 2025.
The Texan actor began his career in 2015 with credits on Texas Rising and cult-favourite show Fear the Walking Dead, as well as films such as Pegasus: Pony With a Broken Wing, The Pro Bono Watchman, and his latest project, 2024’s Blood Dried Hands.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Remembering the stars we’ve lost in 2025
In 2023, French got the opportunity to work alongside Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro in Killers of the Flower Moon, ticking off two big names on his career “goal sheet”.
“He was my very first director on my goal sheet to work with in my career and I was able to do that with Killers of the Flower Moon,” he shared with Waco television station 25 news, adding that his time on set was filled with “a whole lot of surreal moments”.
Speaking of one of the scenes he appeared in, he shared, “That was my first day on set, my scene with Robert De Niro, which is also an idol of mine”
READ MORE: Every celebrity sighting at 2025 Australian Fashion Week
“To arguably work with one of the greatest actors in the world and be directed by the greatest director in the world, Martin Scorsese – I mean, I could’ve died that day and been OK with it.”
French has four yet-to-be-released projects under his belt – Monsters Within, The Ladybug Files, Adventures in Zeroworld: Shadow of Doom and Towpath, where he was directed by Sinacore.
The director penned a tribute to French that he posted on Instagram.
READ MORE: Bindi shares video from hospital bed after being rushed for emergency surgery hours before Steve Irwin Gala
He wrote, “Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor.
“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. His friendship had an unexpectedly profound impact on my life.”
French is survived by his wife and daughter.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
