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ACTOR Samuel French, best known for his role in the hit movie Killers Of The Flower Moon, has died at the age of 45.
French died in Waco, Texas, on May 9 following a battle with cancer.
The disease had spread throughout his body in recent years, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The star played Agent CJ Robinson in the 2023 flick that was directed by Martin Scorsese and also featured the likes of Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
French and DeNiro shared an iconic scene filmed on French’s first day on the production set.
In 2023, he described DeNiro as his “idol,” as reported by the ABC affiliate KXXV-TV.
French also appeared in an episode of Texas Rising and Fear The Walking Dead.
His most recent appearance came in the horror crime movie Blood Dried Hands, directed by Jason Vandygriff.
He was set to appear in the movie Towpath, directed and written by Paul Sinacore.
Leading the tributes for the late star, Sinacore described French as a “dear friend” and an “incredible actor”.
“Towpath wouldn’t exist without him, and the incredible intensity he brought to the role of Detective Bernard Crooke set the tone for the entire film,” he said in an Instagram post.
We Review Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon – Did It Live Up To The Hype?
“Together we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realize a shared creative vision.
“Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame – unfiltered, fearless and alive.”
Sinacore said he was “deeply saddened” by French’s death.
He added: “He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever.”
Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame – unfiltered, fearless and alive.”
Paul Sinacore
Devin Montgomery, an actor-director, recalled one of the last conversations he had with French.
In an Instagram post, he said: “One of the last things he told me was just how special he felt about our working together and to keep making noise and ‘kicking down doors in this industry’ cause as he said ‘you’re a major talent bro.”
French played the character of Cyrus in the thriller Monsters Within, directed by Montgomery, and celebrated picking up the Best Supporting Actor (Feature Film) award at the 2025 Cowpokes International Film Festival.
“Huge thank you to our director/writer Devin Montgomery for creating an amazing character that I could sink my teeth into, and congratulations to the rest of our amazing cast,” he said.
French last posted on social media around two weeks before his death.
On April 23, he shared a photo from a clinic in Waco, captioning the post: “Getting IV for much needed hydration.”
