- Actor had battled a rare brain disease for four years, according to his family
- His Slap Shot character inspired X-Men comic book character Wolverine
- In his later years, D’Amato worked as a boot fitter in a Vermont ski shop
Actor Paul D’Amato – who inspired the Wolverine comic character and featured in the wedding scene of The Deer Hunter – has died aged 76.
He was best known for playing a jaded green Vietnam veteran alongside Robert De Niro in 1978’s Vietnam epic Deer Hunter but also played a range of characters in police TV drama Law and Order and his family said he passed away on Monday following a four-year battle with a rare brain disease.
His fiancée Marina Re told The Hollywood Reporter he was the ‘most wonderful, sweetest guy’ who fought ‘so hard’ against his illness.
D’Amato’s costar in 1977 ice hockey comedy drama Slap Shot Steve Carlson also confirmed the news of his death in a post on X.
Carlson said: ‘RIP Paul D’Amato. ‘Sending heartfelt condolences to Family and fellow friends, actors.’
Actor Paul D’Amato – who was featured in the wedding scene of The Deer Hunter – has died aged 76. Pictured in the 1978 film
It was the late actor’s acting as Dr. Hook in Slap Shot, which also starred Paul Newman that inspired X-Men comic book character Wolverine.
Cartoonist John Byrne said of the star: ‘He just had the look. He had the crazy eyes. And that’s what Wolverine needs to have.’
In his later years, D’Amato worked as a boot fitter in a Vermont ski shop and is survived by his sister Andrea and girlfriend Marina Re.
Born in Worcester and later raised in Spencer, Massachusetts, D’Amato started working as a stage-hand when he was about 14, which inspired him to become an actor.
D’Amato was both an athlete and actor and appeared in theatre productions and on the ice hockey team while attending Emerson College.
D’Amato also appeared in a string of benefit golf tournaments and sports gatherings, including the Enfield tournament, which he played in for about 10 years and raised funds for scholarships.
It was the late actor’s acting as Dr. Hook Tim McCracken in Slap Shot that inspired X-Men comic book character Wolverine
Cartoonist John Byrne said of the star: ‘He just had the look. He had the crazy eyes. And that’s what Wolverine needs to have’
