Ned Beatty, Acclaimed Character Actor, Dead at 83

He was Oscar-nominated for his work in "Network"

Ned Beatty
Ned Beatty during his long career.
Peter Power/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Over his long career on screen and the stage, Ned Beatty demonstrated a versatility that few of his peers could match. That included supporting roles in some defining American films of the 1970s, along with an MTV Movie Award nomination for his villainous voice turn in Toy Story 3. Beatty was the rare actor who could pitch his performance to precisely meet the tone of the project he was working on. He could be memorably comic on screen; he could also be chillingly amoral.

Beatty died on Sunday morning at the age of 83. According to an article at The Wrap, Beatty’s manager confirmed the death and noted that it was from natural causes.

His first role on screen was in John Boorman’s 1972 film Deliverance. He would go on to play memorable parts in a number of other iconic films of the decade, including Nashville, Mikey and Nicky and Network. His work in the last of those earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In the years that followed, he continued to act in high-profile projects — everything from Superman and its sequel to He Got Game and Rudy. His co-star in Rudy, Sean Astin, posted a moving tribute to Beatty on Twitter.

A host of others who had worked with or written about Beatty also spotlit aspects of his work and his talent on social media.

He leaves behind a career full of memorable roles, large and small, in films that will be watched for years to come.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.