Wings Hauser, the versatile actor celebrated for his extensive career in film and television, passed away on March 15 in Los Angeles at the age of 78. His wife, Cali Lili Hauser, confirmed his death, attributing it to natural causes.
Hauser, born Gerald Dwight Hauser in Hollywood, made his first uncredited appearance in the 1967 war drama First to Fight. Over the course of his 58-year career, he became a fixture in both TV and film, earning widespread recognition for his dynamic performances. He appeared in a variety of hit shows such as Magnum, P.I., The Fall Guy, Roseanne, Beverly Hills 90210, Bones, and Criminal Minds. He also enjoyed a recurring role in the long-running soap opera The Young and the Restless, playing Greg Foster from 1977 to 2010.
Hauser’s film credits include his most iconic role as the menacing Ramrod in the 1982 cult classic Vice Squad, alongside Gary Swanson. He also gained attention for his role as a tobacco lawyer in the 1999 drama The Insider, which starred Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. His other notable films include Rubber and Tough Guys Don’t Dance, the latter of which earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His final acting appearance was in a 2010 episode of Criminal Minds.
In a statement shared on social media, Cali Lili Hauser reflected on their close partnership, both personally and professionally. “We were children together, we played life every day, played music and wrote songs together every day,” she said. “He said that I was his future… I never thought I would ever get married or have a partner until I met Wings.” Hauser’s wife expressed her commitment to continuing the creative projects they had started, including upcoming albums, books, and films.
Hauser’s father, Dwight Hauser, was a writer blacklisted during the Communist era, who worked on The Magical World of Disney. Hauser is survived by his wife, Cali, and his son, Cole Hauser, who stars as Rip Wheeler on the hit TV series Yellowstone.
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