Donald Gibb, the actor celebrated for his roles in the beloved “Revenge of the Nerds” film series, has passed away at the age of 71.
His son, Travis, confirmed to TMZ that Gibb died on Tuesday evening following complications related to his health.
Travis shared that Gibb passed away peacefully at his home in Texas, with his family by his side.
He noted that his children, who were present during their grandfather’s final moments, held him in deep affection.
Gibb rose to fame with his role in the 1984 campus comedy “Revenge of the Nerds,” acting alongside Anthony Edwards, later known for his role in “ER,” and Robert Carradine, a staple in “Lizzie McGuire.”
His death follows closely on the heels of the tragic passing of his longtime co-star Robert Carradine, who succumbed to suicide in February at the same age of 71.
Actor Donald Gibb, who was best known for appearing in multiple films in the Revenge Of The Nerds series, has died at 71. Gibb’s son Travis told TMZ that his father had died on Tuesday evening after suffering health complications; Gibb is pictured in September 2024
Gibb (top right) starred in 1984’s Revenge Of The Nerds, as well as Revenge Of The Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise (1987) and Revenge Of The Nerds IV: Nerds In Love (1994, pictured). His passing comes less than three months after costar Robert Carradine (middle row, second to left) died by suicide at 71
Although Carradine’s death shocked Revenge Of The Nerds fans, Gibb’s son said his father’s death was not a surprise, as he had been battling chronic health problems for some time.
Travis emphasized Donald’s overwhelming devotion to his Christian faith, as well as to his family, friends and even his fans.
He added that Gibb’s family was requesting prayers as they mourned, as well as privacy.
Travis told the publication add that his father will be ‘deeply missed and forever remembered.’
Gibb made his screen debut in 1980 with film icon Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, and the following year he appeared in the comedy classic Stripes with Bill Murray and Harold Ramis.
He continued to book major projects with 1982’s Arnold Schwarzenegger–starring fantasy–action flick Conan The Barbarian, but his early roles were all uncredited.
After amassing a string of guest roles on shows including Alice, The A-Team and Magnum, P.I., Gibb appeared in Revenge Of The Nerds as the fraternity brother Frederick Aloysius Palowaski, who was endearingly nicknamed Ogre thanks to his towering 6ft4in stature.
He joined his fellow frat brothers and football teammates to terrorize the eponymous nerds at fictional Adams College, with his coach (played by John Goodman) cheering them on.
Although Carradine’s death shocked Revenge Of The Nerds fans, Gibb’s son said his dad’s death was not a surprise, as he had been battling chronic health problems. Gibb died at home in Texas while surrounded by family, including his children; pictured in 2019 in LA
Before appearing in Revenge Of The Nerds, Gibb had uncredited roles in the Clint Eastwood action-comedy Any Way You Can (1980), the Bill Murray comedy Stripes (1981) and the Arnold Schwarzenegger action film Conan The Barbarian (1982); seen on Step By Step in 1993
He played the enormous beer-guzzling frat brother Ogre in the first two Revenge Of The Nerds films and its fourth and final made-for-TV film in 1994; pictured in 2012 in LA
Following his breakout role in Revenge Of The Nerds, Gibb appeared in Albert Brooks’s classic comedy Lost In America as an ex-con who gives Brooks a ride when he’s reduced to hitchhiking; Julie Hagerty and Brooks are pictured in Lost In America (1985)
Ogre and his fellow jocks were displaced at the start of Revenge Of The Nerds after a fire destroyed their dorm, so they took over the nerds’ dorm as a replacement, only for Edwards and Carradine to put the athletes back in their place.
Despite ostensibly being one of the villains in the first film, Ogre returned for 1987’s Revenge Of The Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise (1987).
Gibb reportedly clashed with the production of the second film over a scene in which the beer-guzzling Ogre threatened another character, which he thought would deviate from how he had developed the character.
Despite sitting out the third film in the series, Gibb reunited with his former costar Carradine for the made-for-TV movie Revenge Of The Nerds IV: Nerds In Love in 1994, which marked the end of the series.
Following his breakout role in Revenge Of The Nerds, Gibb appeared in Albert Brooks’s classic comedy Lost In America (1985) as an ex-con who gives Brooks a ride when he’s reduced to hitchhiking.
In the same year, Gibb appeared as Larry the Wolfman in the horror–comedy Transylvania 6-5000, which starred Jeff Goldblum, Ed Begley Jr. and Geena Davis.
He used his imposing physicality to play an American martial arts fighter who strikes up a friendship with Jean-Claude Van Damme in the action star’s popular 1988 film Bloodsport.
Gibb returned to the franchise for 1996’s Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite, though Van Damme sat it out.
Gibb continued to score small supporting parts in films, including roles in 1998’s US Marshals — starring Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Downey Jr. — and Will Smith’s 2008 superhero film Hancock.
Gibb’s most significant TV contribution was his main cast role on HBO’s comedy 1st & Ten.
He appeared on all seven seasons of the sports comedy from 1984 to 1991 as the linebacker Leslie ‘Dr. Death’ Kruncher.
