Brian Dennehy dead Rambo & Ratatouille actor dies aged 81 as co-star Sylvester Stallone leads tr

RAMBO actor Brian Dennehy died Wednesday night of a heart attack aged 81.

His co-star Sylvester Stallone has paid tribute to the six-time Emmy nominee calling him a "brillaint performer."

Sylvester mourned wrote on Instagram: “The great actor Brian Dennehy has passed away.”

“He simply was A brilliant performer … He also was a Vietnam vet that helped me very much building the character of RAMBO The world has lost a great artist. #First Blood."

Brian Mann, his agent, told the Chicago Tribune he died from cardiac arrest due to sepsis.

Brian's survived by his wife Jennifer Arnott and five children, including actress Elizabeth Dennehy.

The 59-year-old Charmed alum wrote of her father’s passing: “It is with heavy hearts we announce that our father, Brian passed away last night from natural causes, NOT COVID-19 related.

“Larger than life, generous to a fault, a proud and devoted father and grandfather, he will be missed by his wife Jennifer, family and many friends.”

In 1981, he began a recurring role on the long-running series Dynasty.

One year later, he booked his big breakout movie role - playing Sheriff Teasle in Sylvester's 1982 Rambo action film First Blood.

He starred as Big Tom in the 1995 comedy, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary last month, with David Spade and the late Chris Farley.

He’s a two-time Tony winner after first winning the award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in Death of a Salesman in 1999 and then later winning the same category in 2003 for his role in Long Day's Journey Into Night.

Brian also won a 2001 Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film for reprising his role as Willy in Death of a Salesman for a TV film adaptation.

He started his acting career in 1977 with a guest spot on the CBS series Kojak.

From there, he landed roles in projects like Silverado, Cocoon, First Blood, Gladiator, Romeo + Juliet, The Fighting Fitzgeralds, Ratatouille, and Hap and Leonard.

He also starred in Carrie Underwood’s 2010 music video for her single Temporary Home.

Most recently, Brian had an 8-episode arc on The Blacklist, from 2016 to 2019, as Dominic Wilkinson.

Creator and executive producer of the show Jon Bokenkamp told Deadline shortly after Brian's passing that the beloved actor will appear one final time for a special tribute.

“Fans will get to see Brian again. We’re working with existing and previously filmed footage to complete the season finale,” he told the outlet.

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The show was in the middle of filming episode 19 of its 22-episode season when production was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Brian's character Dominic Wilkinson is expected to appear in what will now be the season seven finale for his final farewell.

The late actor starred in two films last year — drama Driveways and comedy 3 Days with Dad.

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