Denis Arndt, the veteran actor most famous for his unforgettable role interrogating Sharon Stone in the legendary Basic Instinct scene, has passed away at 86.
His family confirmed the news in an obituary posted online, revealing that Arndt died earlier this week at his home in Ashland, Oregon, per TMZ.
While his death came as a surprise, Arndt’s passing follows a health scare in 2019, when he suffered a stroke but made a full recovery.
No official cause of death has been revealed.
Arndt’s career spanned decades, starting with his 1974 screen debut in The Magical World of Disney after his Vietnam War service, and included over a dozen seasons with the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Yet, Arndt’s name became synonymous with Basic Instinct, where he played Lieutenant Phil Walker.
Denis Arndt, the veteran actor most famous for his unforgettable role interrogating Sharon Stone in the legendary Basic Instinct scene, has passed away at 86; (seen in 2016)
Yet, Arndt’s name became synonymous with Basic Instinct, where he played Lieutenant Phil Walker; (seen on far right)
He’s perhaps most remembered for his tense interrogation scene with Sharon Stone’s Catherine Tramell, an iconic moment made even more famous by her leg-crossing reveal.
The actor’s diverse career also included notable appearances in Columbo, S.W.A.T., Undisputed, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Dolphin Tale 2, and Metro.
His final major role came on Broadway, where he starred alongside Mary-Louise Parker in Heisenberg, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play—though he lost to Kevin Kline’s role in Present Laughter.
Arndt’s death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned television, film, and theater, leaving a legacy that will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
