Killers of the Flower Moon actor Samuel French tragically died, age 45, last Friday at a hospital in his native Waco, TX.
Paul Sinacore, the director of Samuel’s final film Towpath, was first to share the news of his passing.
‘Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor,’ Paul said in a statement.
“Samuel had a passion for acting that was evident in every scene — raw, brave, and vibrant. He dedicated himself entirely to his craft, and it was apparent in his work. I am profoundly saddened by his passing and wish he could have witnessed the final version. He was truly unique, and he will always be in our hearts.”
THR reported that French ‘had battled a cancer that spread through his body over the past couple of years.’
The committed Christian, who referred to 2024 as ‘the most dreadful year known to humanity’ , appeared frail in his last selfie posted on April 23, with the caption: ‘Receiving IV for much-needed hydration…’
Killers of the Flower Moon actor Samuel French tragically died, age 45, last Friday at a hospital in his native Waco, TX (pictured in 2023)
Throughout the past year, Samuel often shared posts about rejuvenating in the mineral-rich hot springs of De Leon Springs State Park, along with utilizing red light sauna sessions and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
French is best known for his supporting turn as undercover FBI agent CJ Robinson in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 crime drama Killers of the Flower Moon where he shared a one-on-one scene with Robert De Niro.
‘No one could have played Robinson as well as you did,’ Scorsese told him -according to Sinacore.
On August 2, the Blood Dried Hands actor announced his retirement after being ‘constantly beat down’ by the industry for 13 years with little representation.
‘I do not blame my acting career 100% for what I am having to heal myself from today but it has been a huge part of it,’ Samuel wrote.
‘All the stress, the disappointment, and people who hurt me more than [helped] me (reps) did play a part, but today I let go. And OMG it is a special feeling, a release I thought was impossible. To everyone I’ve ever worked with or met it was a honor to create with you all and wish you all the success and happiness.’
French had an ‘uncompromising dedication to his craft’ even when guest-starring as Ben in one 2020 episode of FX’s Fear the Walking Dead titled ‘Welcome to the Club.’
Samuel also portrayed the titular private eye in Jody Stelzig’s 2023 thriller Joe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sister and he appeared in the History Channel’s 2015 miniseries Texas Rising.
French brought an ‘incredible intensity’ as Detective Bernard Crooke in Paul Sinacore’s 1964-set courtroom thriller Towpath, which he believed ‘would change his career.’
Paul Sinacore (L), the director of Samuel’s final film Towpath co-starring Eric Roberts (R), was first to share the news of his passing: ‘Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame — unfiltered, fearless, and alive’
THR reported that French ‘had battled a cancer that spread through his body over the past couple of years’ (pictured March 9)
The devout Christian – who called 2024 ‘the worst year known to mankind’ – appeared gaunt in his final selfie dated April 23, which he captioned: ‘Getting IV for much needed hydration…’
Over the past year, Samuel frequently posted about ‘healing’ in the mineral-filled hot springs of De Leon Springs State Park as well as with red light sauna treatments and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (pictured in 2024)
French is best known for his supporting turn as undercover FBI agent CJ Robinson in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 crime drama Killers of the Flower Moon where he shared a one-on-one scene with Robert De Niro (not pictured)
‘No one could have played Robinson as well as you did,’ Scorsese (L) told him
The Blood Dried Hands actor had an ‘uncompromising dedication to his craft’ even when guest-starring as Ben in one 2020 episode of FX’s Fear the Walking Dead titled ‘Welcome to the Club’ (pictured on set)
Samuel – who retired on August 2 – left behind the ‘love of my life’ Melinda and their 12-year-old daughter Madison Ruby French (L, pictured June 13)
Samuel will also play Satan in Shaquala Taylor’s horror film The Ladybug Files, and he’s already been lauded for his performance as Cyrus in Devin Montgomery’s horror film Monsters Within.
French left behind the ‘love of my life’ Melinda and their 12-year-old daughter Madison Ruby French.
‘My heart goes out to his family, and especially to his daughter — he loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness,’ Paul recalled.
Samuel is also survived by his parents, Gary and Darlene, as well as his brothers, Andy and Danny.
