Rutger Hauer, who played William Earle in Batman Begins, has passed away at the age of 75.
Hauer was born in Breukelen, Netherlands on Jan. 23, 1944, and began his acting career when Paul Verhoeven cast him in a 1969 television series called Floris. He then reprised his role in a 1975 German remake of the same story called Floris von Rosemund.
After those successes, he moved on to more international work and came into wide acclaim for his role in the 1981 movie Nighthawks starring opposite Sylvester Stallone. He then moved on to his iconic role as the replicant Roy Batty in Ridley Scott’s 1982 thriller Blade Runner. His memorable ‘tears in the rain’ speech was an improvisation by the actor.
Hauer would go on to have numerous acting credits, but included standout performances in Ladyhawke, The Hitcher, and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. And, of course, Batman fans would best remember him as William Earle, the executive who was trying to take over Wayne Enterprises in Batman Begins.
He passed away on July 19, 2019, and is survived by his wife Ineke ten Cate, daughter Aysha Hauer, and one grandchild.
