Courtesy of Andrew Cooper/Sony B
Rick Dalton, the fictional star of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood,” has died at the age of 90. Played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Dalton starred in “Bounty Law” before moving on to several smaller Western films and series including “Nebraska Jim” and “Tanner.”
Tarantino announced the character’s death via a tweet through video archives, Podcast co-hosted by Pulp Fiction co-writer and director Roger Avary.
“We are saddened by the news of the passing of actor Rick Dalton, best known for his roles in the popular TV series ‘Bounty Law’ and ‘The Fireman’ trilogy.”
The tweet also provided additional information about Dalton’s history, stating, “Rick passed away peacefully at his home in Hawaii and was survived by his wife, Francesca. RIP Rick Dalton 1933-2023.”
On the podcast, the duo revisits VHS classics like “Moonraker,” “Star 80,” “Rodan,” and more. And in a follow-up tweet after the death was announced, the series promised to spend its next episode focusing on some of Dalton’s favorite roles.
“Because of his death, the episode of Rollerball has been postponed. Instead, we’ll be back on Tuesday with a memorial episode designed by Quentin that features some of Rick’s best roles.”
Fingers crossed with the hosts already.
The new Beverly Cinemas, which is owned and operated by Tarantino, expressed its condolences for the loss of Dalton with a special marquee calling him an “amazing actor.”
In the film, Dalton lived next door to Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles. He and his chauffeur/double double Cliff Booth (played by Oscar-winner Brad Pitt) are attacked by Charles Manson’s henchmen and end up foiling a gruesome real-life murder in 1969.
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