Kevyn Major Howard, best known for his portrayal as Rafterman in Full Metal Jacket, has died.
He died on Friday aged 69 in a Las Vegas hospital surrounded by loved ones, his family told US outlet TMZ.
While his cause of death has not been confirmed, Howard was suffering with ‘respiratory issues’.
With many impressive film credits under his name, Howard appeared alongside some of the biggest stars in Hollywood including Clint Eastwood, Pierce Brosnan and Frank Sinatra.
As well as playing Rafterman in the 1987 Stanley Kubrick film, he appeared as Hawkins in Sudden Impact in 1983, Alien Nation as Rudyard Kipling in 1988, and as Stomper in Death Wish II in 1982.
He also appeared in one episode of Miami Vice in 1988, and his final film credit came when he appeared in the 1999 series Crusade as an officer.
After retiring from acting, he was branded the ‘King of Hollywood headshot’ in BBC show The Human Face, for his work as a photographer. He became one of the leading headshot photographers in LA.
Howard starred in Full Metal Jacket alongside Stranger Things star Matthew Modine, who he remained close with up to his death. The late actor’s family told the publication they talked on the ohone shortly before Howard’s death.
Alongside Howard’s character Matthew played Private J.T. ‘Joker’ Davis – a fellow Vietnam war correspondent – in the classic.
In a crucial moment of the film, Howard’s character Rafterman kills a sniper before she can take out their team, with the ‘Joker’ finishing off the job.
Born on January 27 in 1956 in Montreal, Quebec, Howard moved to Los Angeles after college to pursue acting.
Kevyn is survived by wife, Tiffanie; his step-daughter, Kayla, his sister, Kim and his brother, Kelsey.
Instead of flowers, the family wish donations be made to FueledBytheFallen.org.
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