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Dennehy’s daughter, Elizabeth Dennehy, broke the news of his passing on Twitter Thursday afternoon. She revealed that he died of natural causes and that it was not related to COVID-19.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announced that our father, Brian, passed away last night from natural caused,” she wrote in the tweet. “Larger than life, generous to a fault, a proud and devoted father and grandfather, he will be missed by his wife Jennifer, family, and many friends.”
Fans all over social media have since began mourning the loss of the actor, and reflecting on some of his greatest performances.
RIP to the Legend
RIP to the legend, Brian Dennehy pic.twitter.com/lUACBjXEAL
— Will🐯Menaker (@willmenaker) April 16, 2020
Powerhouse Actor
RIP Brian Dennehy. Brilliant and versatile, a powerhouse actor and a very nice man as well.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) April 16, 2020
They Don’t Make His Kind Anymore
I met Brian in a bar, acted in a movie with him but the stage was what he loved. In rehearsal he said, “This is it, kid.” He was a fellow nutmegger, mick and a Marine. They don’t make his kind anymore. ❤️to his family. https://t.co/0TLeo2MAyt
— Dana Delany (@DanaDelany) April 16, 2020
A Deep Loss
Brian Dennehy was flat out one of my favorite actors who ever lived. I never met him, but I worshipped the man. I feel a deep loss from this. Gonna watch Silverado tonight, for sure, because to me, that’s a performance only Dennehy could have given. Cobb is so alive, so textured. https://t.co/9pEFQLe07t
— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) April 16, 2020
Never a Bad Performance
Brian Dennehy has ascended. Never a bad performance. RIP pic.twitter.com/xG8jBH8muv
— George David Allen (@GeorgeDAllen) April 16, 2020
Rest in Peace, Big Tom
Let’s hit the “Heys and the hos” one more time for Brian Dennehy, who passed away at age 81.
— Brian Metzer (@Brian_Metzer) April 16, 2020
RIP Big Tom Callahan… pic.twitter.com/q464NboEfS
One of the Finest of His Time
Tough day. RIP to one of the finest actors of his time – Brian Dennehy pic.twitter.com/pcFLNuPXsB
— Tom DeNucci (@TomDeNucci) April 16, 2020
A True Giant
As a kid, the first time I saw Brian Dennehy on the big screen was in Rowdy Herrington’s Chicago boxing movie GLADIATOR in 1992. The last time I saw Dennehy on the big screen was in Malick’s KNIGHT OF CUPS.
— Nelson Carvajal (@nelsoncarvajal) April 16, 2020
Rest in Peace to a true giant in acting, in every sense of the word. pic.twitter.com/QJzfi6BJsK
Thank You for Raising the Bar
Brian Dennehy taught me that the top of the head was the hardest part of the body. Handy advice. A great actor and a huge loss, thank you for raising the bar for the bad guys of Hollywood. RIP pic.twitter.com/twthA6iZUh
— Robert Parry (@Robert19203) April 16, 2020
Just a Great Performer
Adios, Brian Dennehy. His Willy Loman in the Goodman Theatre production of Death of a Salesman in Chicago was one of the greatest acting feats I’ve seen. Just a great performer.
— The Rude Pundit (@rudepundit) April 16, 2020
Hits Harder Than Expected
Brian Dennehy going hits me harder than I expected it to pic.twitter.com/X8aQWbRBnH
— Conner Schwerdtfeger (@ConnerWS) April 16, 2020
You Badass
Brian Dennehy in FIRST BLOOD is up there with Vic Morrow in THE BAD NEWS BEARS in terms of my ideal cinematic heavy: the genuine humanity and grounded, conflicted psychology of the performance only deepens your loathing of the guy. Rest in peace, you badass. pic.twitter.com/RoyUw2FQVZ
— Tony Tost (@tonytost) April 16, 2020
