Fred Ward (1942-2022) was an American actor and film producer, known for his versatility and his ability to portray charismatic and often "tough-guy" characters. His career took off in the 1980s with memorable roles such as astronaut Gus Grissom in *The Right Stuff* (1983) and the title role in *Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins* (1985). His fame is inextricably linked to the role of Earl Bassett in the cult film *Tremors* (1990), but he demonstrated great artistic depth by portraying writer Henry Miller in *Henry & June* (1990). He collaborated several times with director Robert Altman, appearing in films such as *The Player* (1992) and *Short Cuts* (1993). For the latter film, he shared major awards with the ensemble cast, including a special Golden Globe and a collective Volpi Cup at the Venice International Film Festival, which celebrated the exceptional performance of the entire group of actors. His filmography also includes titles such as *Escape from Alcatraz* (1979) and *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002).