Homeland star James Rebhorn dead at 65

The 65-year-old actor character who has been in a wealth of films and television series died of skin cancer.

14:01 24 March 2014

Renowned character actor James Rebhorn, best known as a co-star on hit spy thriller Homeland, has died of skin cancer. He was 65.

His agent, Dianne Busch, has confirmed the sad news saying that the actor died in New Jersey on Friday, where he was surrounded by friends and family.

"He fought it all this time," Busch told The Hollywood Reporter.

"He died Friday afternoon at his home in New Jersey, where he had been receiving hospice care for a week and a half."

Mr Rebhorn starred in several films including Basic Instinct, Independence Day, and Meet the Parents. He also starred as headmaster Mr Trask in Scent of a Woman and squared off against Al Pacino again in Carlito’s Way. In addition, he had acclaimed supporting roles in Lorenzo’s Oil, The Talented Mr Ripley, Snow Falling on Cedars, and Cold Mountain.

Aside from Homeland where he played as the father of Claire Dane’s troubled CIA officer Carrie Mathison, he also appeared in a number of TV shows including 30 Rock, Wiseguy, and Enlightened, rounding out a prolific career.

Several of his friends quickly paid tribute to him via Twitter. Director Roland Emmerich wrote: “It’s a sad day. I just learned James Redhorn passed. Such a great talent and always a joy to work with. RIP.”