Iconic actor Brian Dennehy, known for his memorable roles in movies like First Blood, Tommy Boy, and dozens of others, has passed away. Dennehy died of natural causes in Connecticut last night. He was 81 years old.

Dennehy was born on July 9, 1938, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He later studied dramatic arts at Yale before spending five years serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. By the late 1970’s, Dennehy began to pursue acting professionally, launching a career in Hollywood that would span over five decades.

Beginning with guest spots on television shows like Kojak and M*A*S*H, Dennehy’s breakout role came in First Blood (first of the Rambo movies). Released in 1982, the movie introduced the iconic character of John Rambo, with Dennehy serving as his first foe as overzealous sheriff Will Teasle. He’d follow this up with roles as an alien in Cocoon and a corrupt sheriff in Silverado, also appearing as memorable characters in movies like Split Image, Best Seller, Legal Eagles, and The Man from Snowy River II. For his role in The Belly of an Architect, Dennehy won the Best Actor Award at the 1987 Chicago International Film Festival. One of Dennehy’s most popular roles came along in 1995 when he appeared in the classic comedy Tommy Boy. In the movie, Dennehy plays Big Tom Callahan, the father of the titular lead played by Chris Farley. Dennehy was also very accomplished for his work in television movies, earning six Emmy Award nominations including Outstanding Lead Actor for his role as real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy in To Catch a Killer.

Dennehy’s survivors include his wife: Jennifer Arnott; and five children including actress Elizabeth Dennehy.