Actor Scott L. Schwartz, best known for his role as Bruiser in the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, has died at the age of 65.
Schwartz died from congestive heart failure on November 26 at his home in Covington, Louisiana, per The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
Schwartz’s Ocean’s costar George Clooney paid tribute to the actor in a statement. “I’m sorry to hear that Scott is gone,” Clooney, 63, said. “We did three films together and I’ve never been so gently punched. He was a gentle soul and he will be dearly missed.”
Schwartz played Bruiser in 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven and reprised his role alongside Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007). Before becoming a stuntman and actor, he was a professional wrestler under the monikers The Israeli Commando and Giant David.
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“Most people associate Scott with the movies, but those who know him personally associated him with being a jolly person, so full of life, a strong loving person, foodie and travel aficionado,” Schwartz’s widow, Misty, said.
“Scott truly loved life and everyone that he met along the way. When he wasn’t acting, wrestling or telling jokes he spent his time visiting children with cancer at children’s hospitals,” she concluded.
Actor Rick Zahn shared a photo of him and Schwartz via Instagram on Wednesday, November 27, and wrote, “Today the world lost a good man. The acting community lost a terrific actor. The law enforcement community in Los Angeles lost a good ambassador and community spokesperson. The breast cancer community lost a staunch supporter. A woman lost a devoted husband. And I lost a dear friend.”
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“At 6’10”, Scott was one of the rare few I looked up to. But it wasn’t just because he was actually taller. It was because of his heart. He lived life with passion. And he adored his wife, Misty,” Zahn continued. “Scott has battled ill health these past couple of years. But with Misty at his side, Scott peacefully transitioned. The suffering is over.”
Schwartz’s other film credits include The Scorpion King and Fun With Dick and Jane. He also appeared in numerous television series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Mentalist, The Young and the Restless and Nash Bridges.
Schwartz is survived by his widow, Misty, and his children, Angela and Adam, as well as his mother-in-law, Brenda. He is also survived by cousins Sherry and Duwayne and his aunt, Penni, the family said.
