THE actor Paul D’Amato, who inspired Marvel’s Wolverine, has died aged 76.
He was best known for playing a range of characters in US police drama Law & Order.
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His family said he passed away on Monday following a four year battle with a rare brain disease.
D’Amato’s fiancée Marina Re told The Hollywood Reporter he was “the most wonderful, sweetest guy” who fought “so hard”.
The actor also starred as a sergeant alongside Robert De Niro in the 1978 epic war drama The Deer Hunter.
But it was his appearance as “Dr Hook” in ice hockey hit Slap Shot that inspired X-Men comic book character Wolverine.
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Cartoonist John Byrne said of D’Amato: “He just had the look.
“He had the crazy eyes. And that’s what Wolverine needs to have.”
Tributes flooded in following the news of D’Amato’s death.
One fan wrote: “RIP Paul D’Amato. Most of us know him as Tim “Dr. Hook” McCracken from the best hockey movie of all time – Slap Shot.
“Godspeed Dr. Hook. Thanks for entertaining us.”
Another said: “RIP Paul D’Amato. You will be missed.”
In his later years, D’Amato worked as a boot fitter in a Vermont ski shop.
He is survived by his sister Andrea and girlfriend Marina Re.
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