Veteran actor Peter Jason, known for his roles in The Karate Kid and HBO’s Deadwood, has died at the age of 80, leaving behind a remarkable legacy with over 270 acting credits spanning film, television, and video games.
From Rio Lobo to The Karate Kid
Peter Jason began his acting career in the 1960s, making his film debut in Rio Lobo as Lieutenant Forsythe. He later gained widespread recognition as the soccer coach in the beloved 80s classic The Karate Kid.
Collaboration with John Carpenter
In the 1990s, Jason formed a strong working relationship with horror filmmaker John Carpenter, appearing in several of his iconic films, including In the Mouth of Madness, Village of the Damned, and Escape from L.A.
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.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) February 20, 2025
Acclaimed Role in Deadwood
During the 2000s, Jason earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Con Stapleton in HBO’s hit western series Deadwood, solidifying his status as a distinguished character actor.
Voice Acting and Later Career
Beyond film and TV, Jason also lent his voice to popular video games such as Gears of War and Fallout. In later years, he appeared as Jeff in Desperate Housewives and made guest appearances in Arrested Development, NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. His final roles included Tale of 2 Fathers and the pandemic-filmed We Are Gathered Here Today.
Tributes from Hollywood
Following his passing, heartfelt tributes poured in from across Hollywood. Horror legend John Carpenter led the tributes, honoring him as “one of the great character actors in cinema.” He reminisced, “His first movie was Howard Hawks’ RIO LOBO. He was a dear friend, and I’ll miss him terribly.”
Jason’s close friend Matt Anser expressed his grief on social media, writing, “I am heartbroken. My dear friend and my father’s best friend, Peter Jason, passed away today. What a loss. He was truly one of the sweetest people on the planet. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter.”
Legacy of a Character Actor
Peter Jason leaves behind a vast body of work and a legacy as one of Hollywood’s most prolific character actors. At the time of writing, his cause of death has not been confirmed.
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