Veteran actor Peter Jason, known for his memorable roles across film and television for more than five decades, has passed away at the age of 80. The news of his passing emerged on February 21, though colleagues and collaborators had already begun paying tribute a day earlier. The exact cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
John Carpenter, the legendary horror filmmaker who frequently cast Jason in his films, expressed his sorrow on social media. “Peter Jason, one of the great character actors in cinema, has died. His first movie was Howard Hawks’ RIO LOBO. He was a dear friend and I’ll miss him terribly,” Carpenter wrote on X on February 20.
Fellow actor Billy Zane also honored Jason in a heartfelt Instagram post on the evening of February 20. He shared a series of photos, including one of Jason enjoying a day on the golf course. “If there are no words then there certainly is no music. My dear, dear friend, the brightest light, most generous soul and gregarious of men, the supremely talented and kind Peter Jason has left the set,” Zane captioned his tribute. “Survived by his lovely wife Eileen and his children, the vacuum felt by his passing gut-punched me as I saw it coming.”
Zane continues, “It had me spending the last two hours deciding between pieces of music to underscor this tribute... I couldn’t pick one so I chose none. All I know is his wake will be widely attended by and teeter somewhere between a Friar’s Roast to a burial at sea befitting an admiral. See you in the back 9 my friend! RIP PJ.”
With an impressive 267 acting credits listed on IMDb, Jason built an extraordinary career beginning with 1967’s A Bell for Adano. He was frequently cast by Carpenter, appearing in seven of his films, including Prince of Darkness (1987), They Live (1988), Body Bags (1993), in the Mouth of Madness (1994), Village of the Damned (1995), Escape from L.A. (1996), and Ghost of Mars (2001).
Beyond his work with Carpenter, Jason’s filmography boasts appearances in iconic movies such as The Karate Kid (1984), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Mortal Kombat (1995), and Adaptation (2002). He also had a recurring role as Con Stapleton in HBO’s acclaimed Western series Deadwood, which he reprised for Deadwood: The Movie (2019). His talents extended to the world of gaming as well, lending his voice to the popular Gears of War series.
Peter Jason is survived by his wife, Eileen, and his daughter, Robin Goldwasser. His passing marks the end of an era for many who admired his work, both on and off the screen, leaving behind not just memorable characters but also cherished memories shared with friends, family, and fans.