Miguel Ferrer, best known for starring as Owen Granger on NCIS: Los Angeles, died Thursday of cancer. He was 61.
Ferrer, who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends, according to CBS.
“Today, NCIS: LOS ANGELES lost a beloved family member,” showrunner R. Scott Gemmill said in a statement. “Miguel was a man of tremendous talent who had a powerful dramatic presence on screen, a wicked sense of humor, and a huge heart. Our thoughts go out to his wife Lori, his sons, and his entire family. He will be greatly missed.”
Ferrer was the son of actor Jose Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney, making him a cousin to George Clooney, who sent The Hollywood Reporter a statement on the loss of his family member:
“Today history will mark giant changes in our world, and lost to most will be that on the same day Miguel Ferrer lost his battle to throat cancer. But not lost to his family. Miguel made the world brighter and funnier and his passing is felt so deeply in our family that events of the day, (monumental events), pale in comparison. We love you Miguel. We always will.”
Ferrer played Bob Morton, the man who came up with the idea for a robotic police officer, in the 1987 cult classic RoboCop. Other memorable roles include Dr. Garret Macy on TV’s Crossing Jordan and Albert Rosenfield on Twin Peaks. The actor also had a number of notable voice roles over the course of his career, as he voiced characters in Mulan, Rio 2, Robot Chicken and more.
Earlier on Thursday, it was announced that Ferrer would lend his voice along with Christina Ricci to Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, the DC Universe animated original movie from Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. He had completed voice work for the mercenary villain Deathstroke in the movie prior to his death. The film, directed by Sam Liu (Justice League vs. Teen Titans), adapts the classic storyline from the 1980s comic Tales of the Teen Titans.
Last week, Ferrer was set to appear at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour panel for the revived Twin Peaks, but was not in attendance.
He is survived by his wife Lori, sons Lukas and Rafi, brother Rafael Ferrer and cousin Clooney.
Shortly after the news broke, Crossing Jordan co-star Jill Hennessy shared on Twitter: “Can’t believe this gut-punch…just heard @Miguel_J_Ferrer passed..loved that hilarious, brilliant dude.”
Twin Peaks co-star Kyle MacLachlan also tweeted his condolences, saying, “Agent Rosenfield, I love you.”
Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost also shared his condolences, writing, “We go back to 1974. Broke in on the same show. Great talent, better man. Working & writing for him a highlight in every part of my life.”
