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Beverly Hills Cop II star Allen Garfield dies of coronavirus complications aged 80


Allen Garfield has died aged 80, amid coronavirus complications (Picture: Getty)

Allen Garfield has died aged 80, following coronavirus complications.

The actor – who appeared in Beverly Hills Cop II and The Conversation – passed away in LA on 7 April.

According to Associated Press, his sister Lois Goorwitz confirmed the news, explaining his death was due to complications from Covid-19.

The publication states he was living at the Motion Picture Television Fund Home – a retirement facility for those in the industry – when he died.

President and CEO of the MPTF, Bob Beitcher, told Deadline that six residents had tested positive for coronavirus, as well as four people on the staff.

Tributes poured in for the late star, with his co-stars among those sharing their memories.

Allen Garfield starred as Harold Lutz in Beverly Hills Cop II (Picture: YouTube)

James Woods – who starred alongside Allen in Citizen Cohn – tweeted: ‘Allen and I were friends from our earliest days as actors. We finally got to do some great work together in Citizen Cohn, where he played Abe Feller, a victim of ruthless Roy Cohn and the blacklist. 

‘He was superb. This is a heartbreaker. #RIPAllenGarfield.’

Kevin Smith said: ‘This hit me hard, emotionally. One of the only fan letters I ever received from a professional was sent by Allen Garfield. 

‘He mailed me a beautiful, handwritten message 20 years ago to say how impressed he was with Chasing Amy. Meant the world to an artist just getting started.’

Tributes for Allen poured in on social media (Picture: Getty)

While a fan commented: ‘RIP #AllenGarfield a fine character who appeared in some of my favourite movies like #TheStuntman #TheConversation #Nashville and many others. 

‘Made everything he was in better and held the screen with many might co-stars. God speed.’

And another added: ‘Rest in Peace Allen Garfield may God comfort your family, friends and fans during this time of grievance.’

Allen first started out his career as a sportswriter, and studied acting at night while also taking on his day job for New Jersey’s Star-Ledger.

He was later accepted by the Actor’s Studio, counting this as the moment he put a ‘stamp on things as an actor and as a director’ in an interview.

His first credited role came in 1968 film Greetings, and he went on to star in some of the biggest films in the 70s, including The Conversation, Nashville, The Stunt Man and The Candidate.

Allen’s most famous role came in 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop II as police chief Harold Lutz, who launched into a furious rant against Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley.

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