Samuel French has died aged just 45 as his grief-stricken friend breaks silence on his lengthy health battle with an emotional tribute, announcing the shock news to fans
04:25 ET, 13 May 2025Updated 04:40 ET, 13 May 2025
Samuel French has passed away aged 45(Image: Samuelfrenchactor/Instagram)
Killers of the Flower Moon actor Samuel French has tragically died at the age of 45. He passed away Friday, May 9, at a hospital in his native Waco, Texas.
His friend Paul Sinacore, the director of Samuel’s final film, Towpath, broke the news to the fans on social media. Taking to Instagram on the day of Samuel’s death, Paul began: “Known for his explosive intensity in roles across film and television, French leaves behind a legacy of bold performances, including his final turn in Paul Sinacore’s upcoming historical drama, Towpath, which delves into political intrigue and mystery.
“Samuel French, the magnetic actor celebrated for his explosive performances and uncompromising dedication to his craft, died this morning, May 9, 2025, in Waco, Texas. He was 45,” he shared.
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“French’s career was marked by powerful, emotionally charged roles in both film and television. He earned widespread recognition for his supporting turn as CJ Robinson in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon”, where he shared the screen with Robert De Niro in a performance that brought understated power and quiet intensity to the acclaimed historical epic,” the tribute continued.
Paul and Samuel posing for a selfie on the set of Towpath before his tragic death
“Together we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realize a shared creative vision. Samuel carried a fire for acting that burned in every frame — unfiltered, fearless, and alive. He gave himself completely to the work, and it showed.
“I am deeply saddened by his loss and only wish he could have seen the final cut. He was one of a kind, and he will remain in our hearts forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, and especially to his daughter—he loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness. His friendship had an unexpectedly profound impact on my life,” Paul’s touching message continued.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Samuel “had battled a cancer that spread through his body over the past couple of years.”
The devout Christian, who dubbed 2024 “the worst year known to mankind,” appeared gaunt in his final selfie dated April 23, which he captioned: “Getting IV for much needed hydration…”
Samuel was best known for his role in Killers of the Flower Moon(Image: Samuelfrenchactor/Instagram)
Over the past year, the actor frequently posted about “healing” in the mineral-filled hot springs of De Leon Springs State Park as well as with red light sauna treatments and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Aside from his personal life, Samuel is best known for his supporting turn as undercover FBI agent CJ Robinson in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 crime drama Killers of the Flower Moon, where he shared a one-on-one scene with Hollywood legends Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
“No one could have played Robinson as well as you did,’ Scorsese told him -according to Sinacore.
On August 2, the Blood Dried Hands actor revealed he was retiring after being “constantly beaten down” by the industry for 13 years with little representation.
“I do not blame my acting career 100% for what I am having to heal myself from today but it has been a huge part of it,” Samuel penned.
He continued: “All the stress, the disappointment, and people who hurt me more than [helped] me (reps) did play a part, but today I let go. And OMG it is a special feeling, a release I thought was impossible. To everyone I’ve ever worked with or met it was a honor to create with you all and wish you all the success and happiness.”
Samuel left behind Melinda, whom he called the “love of my life” and their 12-year-old daughter Madison Ruby French.
The star is also survived by his parents, Gary and Darlene, as well as his brothers, Andy and Danny.