The US actor and martial artist had a career that spanned 60 years and also included appearances in the first Nightmare on Elm Street film in 1984.
In Warner Bros.’ Enter the Dragon (1973), Lee’s first mainstream American movie and last before his death at age 32, Saxon best known for his role as Roper, a degenerate gambler who participates in a martial arts tournament. In real life, his fighting skills did not approach those possessed by Lee and another co-star, karate champion Jim Kelly.
Saxon, though, said that Lee “took me seriously. I would tell him I would rather do it this way, and he’d say, ‘OK, try it that way,’ ” he told the Los Angeles Times in 2012.
John Saxon born in August 5, 1936 was an American actor and martial artist who worked on more than 200 projects during a span of 60 years. Saxon is known for his work in Westerns and horror movies, often playing police officers and detectives.
His third wife Gloria told the Hollywood Reporter her husband passed away on Saturday in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Saxon died of pneumonia in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on July 25, 2020, aged 83.
His real name was Carmine Orrico. After graduating from high school, he studied acting with renowned acting coach Stella Adler. Soon after, Universal Studios contracted him for a project and changed his name to John Saxon. John was also proficient in judo and karate.
He appeared in films such as Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) and Portrait in Black (1961), Summer Love, This Happy Feeling. He received a Golden Globe nomination in The Best Supporting Actor category for The Appaloosa.
