American actor Frank McRae, known for playing the role of Sharkey in the James Bond film
License to Kill
, died on April 29 in San Monica from a heart attack, his stepdaughter Suzanne confirmed. McRae at
Variety
magazine
.
He was 80 years old.
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Born in Memphis, Tennessee, this former American football player, notably passed by the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams, subsequently took advantage of his imposing stature - he measured nearly two meters - in his profession as an actor. Graduated in history and theater from Tennessee State University, it was in his thirties that he finally opted for the cinema, taking on roles of tough guys as in
FIST
,
High Security
,
La Taverne de l'Enfer
or
Rocky. 2
alongside Sylvester Stallone. In all, his career is marked by more than forty films.
But it is especially in James Bond that he marks the spirits across the Atlantic.
Released in 1989,
License to Kill
stars Timothy Dalton, as the handsome British spy, and McRae, who plays a close friend of Agent 007. The actor also appeared in
Last Action Hero
, where he
played the starring role.
replies to Arnold Schwarzenegger and parodied his own role in the film
48 Hours
.
In 1973, he plays in the feature film
Dillinger
, named after the gangster John Dilinger, and whose life will be adapted again with
Public Enemies
, with Johnny Depp.
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The actor, prolific between the 1970s and 1990s, had been more discreet since the 2000s and was enjoying his Californian retirement. He leaves behind a son, Marcellus, and three grandchildren: Camden, Jensen and Holden.