Killers of the Flower Moon star known for Martin Scorsese partnership dies aged 45

Actor Samuel French has died aged 45, a friend has confirmed. Best known for his role as Agent CJ Robinson in Martin Scorsese's hit movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, the star reportedly died at a hospital in his native Waco, Texas.

Paul Sinacore, who is the director of Samuel's final film, Towpath, announced the tragic news on Instagram, confirming that the actor had died on Friday morning. According to , "Samuel had battled a cancer that spread through his body over the past couple of years."

The star called 2024 "the worst year known to mankind" with his final selfie on , dated April 23, showing him getting some much-needed care. He captioned the snap: "Getting IV for much needed hydration..."

Leading the tributes, captioning a photo of his late friend, Paul wrote: "Towpath wouldn't exist without him, and the incredible intensity he brought to the role of Detective Bernard Crooke set the tone for the entire film.

"Together we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realise a shared creative vision. Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame - unfiltered, fearless, and alive.

"He gave himself completely to the work, and it showed. I am deeply saddened by his loss and only wish he could have seen the final cut. He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever.

"My heart goes out to his family, and especially to his daughter-he loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness. His friendship had an unexpectedly profound impact on my life."

For his Killers of a Flower Moon role, French really made an impact on director Martin Scorsese. After sharing a scene with Robert De Nero, the director reportedly told him: "No one could have played Robinson as well as you did."

French's final film, Towpath, is set in 1964 during the civil rights movement. His other credits include Texas Rising, an episode of Fear the Walking Dead, and he starred as the titular private eye in Joe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sister.

French is survived by his daughter, Madison, 12; his girlfriend, Melinda, the mother of their daughter; his parents, Gary and Darlene; and his brothers, Andy and Danny.