Paul Beasley, actor who got a late-in-life boost with roles in Rudy and Everwood, is dead at 79

Paul Beasley, a late bloomer actor who didn’t get his first film credits until his 40s, has passed away at the age of 79.

The film and television actor died earlier on Tuesday at a hospital in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, his son Tyrone Beasley shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

According to his son, Beasley had his liver tested when his condition began to deteriorate rapidly.

Beasley received acclaim for a supporting performance as assistant coach Warren in the popular 1993 inspirational sports drama Rudy, which was filmed when he was in his late 40s.

The actor’s death comes just before he was about to hit another milestone in his life by making his Broadway debut on the cusp of 80.

Medical emergency: Beasley died earlier Tuesday at a hospital in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, his son said. He had his liver tested when his condition began to deteriorate rapidly; seen in Firestarter (2022)

He recently appeared in a Chicago stage adaptation of the romance film The Notebook (2004), starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Marsden, James Garner, and Gena Rowlands.

The film, in turn, was based on Nicholas Sparks’ popular 1996 novel of the same name.

Beasley starred in the role of Garner, playing a much older version of the young romantic lead.

Beasley’s son Tyrone said his father would train for the part in New York while the producers looked for a theater to transfer to.

“I lost my best friend today,” Beasley’s other son Michael wrote in a Facebook post announcing his father’s death. “They say never meet your heroes because they don’t turn out to be who you thought they were. That’s so wrong. My hero was my father. Thanks for everything.’

Some of Beasley’s early film roles include parts in VI Warshawski (1991) and The Mighty Ducks (1992).

Following his success with Rudy, he appeared in several TV shows and TV movies, including the Peter Bogdanovich directed To Sir, With Love II, in which the late Sidney Poitier reprized his lead role from the 1967 original classic.

In 1997, he appeared as retired pastor Brother Blackwell in Robert Duvall’s critically acclaimed film The Apostle, which he directed and starred in.

One of Beasley’s biggest projects to date was the early to mid-2000s series Everwood, which appears to be his first time starring in a series regular.

He went on to appear in 89 episodes of the show.

His next major TV show was The Soul Man, starring Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash and airing for five seasons from 2012 to 2016. Beasley again played a retired pastor, this time as the father of Cedric the Entertainer’s father.

Other high-profile films Beasly appeared in include The General’s Daughter, Crazy In Alabama, The Gift, The Sum Of All Fears, and The Purge: Anarchy.

Last year, he appeared in the remake of the Stephen King-inspired horror film Firestarter.

Breakthrough role: Beasley received acclaim for a supporting performance as Assistant Coach Warren in the 1993 hit inspirational sports drama Rudy, which was filmed in his late 40s; Sean Astin is depicted in the film

Ahead: Buoyed by Rudy’s success, he appeared as retired pastor Brother Blackwell in Robert Duvall’s critically acclaimed 1997 film The Apostle, which Duvall directed and starred in; Duvall pictured with Farrah Fawcett

Family man: Beasley is survived by his wife of 58 years Judy, his soe Tyrone and his wife Katie, his son Michael and his wife Deena, and grandchildren Darius, Evan, Mika, Miles, Olivia and LA Lakers player Malik Beasley

Born on June 26, 1943, Beasley began his career with Union Pacific Railroad before later moving on to acting.

In addition to his son Tyrone, Beasley is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy, as well as Tyrone’s wife Katie and his other son Michael Beasley and his wife Deena.

He also had several grandchildren: Darius, Evan, Malik, Mika, Miles, and Olivia.

Malik Beasley, the son of Michael, is an NBA player who last joined the Los Angeles Lakers in February of this year.