Photo:Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty

Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty
Frederic Forrest, an Oscar-nominated actor, has died. He was 86.
Forrest’s friend and fellow actor Barry Primus confirmed the news that the star died on Friday after a long illness toThe Hollywood Reporter.
He starred oppositeBette Midlerin the 1979 musical dramaThe Rose,where he played Midler’s love interest, Huston Dyer.
On Twitter, Midler, 77,wrote in a tribute, “The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died. Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months.”
20 CENTURY FOX / Cinematic Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

She added, “He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”
“RIP to a brilliant actor,” one fan wrote in response, posting a photo of Midler and Forrest inThe Rose.
“Oh that is sad news, he was a wonderful actor and had so many memorable roles,” another said.
In addition toThe Rose, the Texas native starred as Jay “Chef” Hicks in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic war movieApocalypse Now, which was also released in 1979.
Frederic Forrest in Apocalypse Now (1979).UNITED ARTISTS / Cinematic Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

UNITED ARTISTS / Cinematic Collection / Alamy Stock Photo
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Forrest worked with Coppola, 84, on four other films:The Conversation(1974),One from the Heart(1982),Hammett(1982) andTucker: The Man and His Dream(1988).
Forrest was married to his college sweetheart Nancy Ann Whitaker from 1960 to 1963, and to actress Marilu Henner from 1980 to 1983.
source: people.com