Fred Ward, starred in ‘The Right Stuff,’ ‘Remo Williams,’ ‘Tremors,’ dies at 79

Fred Ward, a character actor and producer who starred in “The Right Stuff,” “Tremors” and “Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins,” has died at 79.

Publicist Ron Hofmann confirmed to USA Today that Ward died Sunday. Ward had a steady presence on screen since the late 1970s, garnering his first major role alongside Clint Eastwood in 1979’s “Escape from Alcatraz.” Ward memorably played Mercury 7 astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom in 1983’s space epic “The Right Stuff” but also tackled giant monster worms side by side with Kevin Bacon in the 1990 cult horror comedy “Tremors.”