Scott L. Schwartz dies at 65: Burly actor from Ocean’s Eleven movies ‘was a gentle soul,’ George Clooney says
Actor Scott L. Schwartz died at age 65 of congestive heart failure on Nov. 26 at his home in Covington, Louisiana, his representative said.
The 6-foot-10 Philadelphia native, who had a background as a professional wrestler, was best known for starring as Bruiser in the Ocean’s Eleven film franchise starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
He appeared in 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven, 2004’s Ocean’s Twelve, and 2007’s Ocean’s Thirteen in the role of the strongman who helped the titular gang of thieves in their caper.
Clooney told the outlet in a statement on Tuesday: “I’m sorry to hear that Scott is gone. We’ve made three films together and I’ve never been hit so gently.
“He was a gentle soul and he will be greatly missed.”
Schwartz’s rep told me Variety in a statement Tuesday: “Those who know Scott personally associated him as a cheerful person, so full of life, a strong loving person, a foodie and a travel enthusiast.
Actor Scott L. Schwartz died at age 65 of congestive heart failure on Nov. 26 at his home in Covington, Louisiana, his representative said. Pictured in Burbank, California in 2013
Schwartz appeared in 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven, 2004’s Ocean’s Twelve and 2007’s Ocean’s Thirteen in the role of the strongman who helped with the titular gang of thieves in their caper
“Scott truly loved life and everyone he met along the way. When he wasn’t acting, wrestling or telling jokes, he spent his time visiting children with cancer in children’s hospitals.”
Schwartz was fondly remembered amid news of his passing, with actors including Rick Zahn paying tribute to him and describing the late actor as “a good man” and “a dear friend.”
“Scott has struggled with ill health in recent years,” Zahn said in an Instagram post. ‘But with [wife] With Misty by his side, Scott made a peaceful transition. The suffering is over.’
He added: “At 6ft 4in, Scott was one of the few I looked up to. But that wasn’t just because he was taller. It came from his heart. He lived with passion. And he adored his wife, Misty.”
Schwartz amassed more than 100 credits during his show business career as an actor and stuntman.
His film appearances include roles in 2021’s The Pizza Joint, 2004’s Starsky & Hutch, 2002’s Spider-Man, 2002’s The Scorpion King and 1997’s Meet Wally Sparks.
Other notable film projects in Schwartz’s career include the 2009 family comedy Lost in the Woods opposite Michael Madsen, and the 2010 action drama Changing Hands, which he wrote and directed.
He has also appeared on TV shows such as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Nash Bridges, Angel, The Young and the Restless, The Mentalist, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Clooney said in a statement on Tuesday: “I’m sorry to hear that Scott is gone. We’ve made three films together and I’ve never been hit so gently.”
The 6-foot-10 Philadelphia native played sports in high school and attended Temple University before pursuing a career in professional wrestling
Schwartz was also a regular at fan events, which he said he enjoyed in a 2008 interview, according to Slam wrestling.
“A lot of people go to television, to the movies, or whatever they do, and never have the opportunity to meet people who have seen their work and enjoy their work,” Schwartz told a newspaper in McKinney, Texas. “It’s really cool to be able to sit down and hear what they liked about certain parts or what they liked. It’s pretty cool both ways because it’s really great to meet fans.”
Born March 19, 1959, Schwartz played sports in high school and attended Temple University before pursuing a career in professional wrestling.
He wrestled sporadically between 1979 and 1999 under the names Giant David, Igor The Giant and Joshua Ben-Gurion, and was trained by the late wrestling legend Killer Kowalski, according to the industry site. Cage match.
Schwartz said Slam wrestling in 2006, after retiring from professional wrestling, I hung up my boots for good in 1999, after twenty years.
‘It was a difficult decision, and to avoid returning to the ring, I sold most of my stuff on eBay. I keep one suit just in case, and sometimes I get a part as a wrestler and I wear that stuff in a movie, and when I get out of the movie I feel like getting back into the business.”
Schwartz said his passion for acting eventually overtook his desire to wrestle.
“Eventually it got to the point where it got into my blood,” Schwartz said. “I did a few good jobs and I liked the way I was treated, and that was it, the rest is history, as they say.”
Schwartz is survived by his wife Misty and children Angela and Adam.