'Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Enter the Dragon' star John Saxon dies at 84

Charismatic horror and western genre actor John Saxon has passed away at the age of 84 after a battle with pneumonia, according to reports.

Saxon's most recognisable roles were playing Donald Thompson in the original 1984 Nightmare on Elm Street film as well as two of its sequels, and Roper in the 1973 martial arts epic Enter the Dragon alongside Bruce Lee.

He starred in scores of influential horror movies, such as Dario Argento's 1982 film Tenebrae, 1974’s Black Christmas and 1996’s From Dusk Till Dawn as well as westerns The Unforgiven (1960), 1969's Death of a Gunfighter and 1972's Joe Kidd.

His career stretched over six decades, after rising to fame as a teenaged heartthrob in the 1956 flick Rock, Pretty Baby.

Saxon later transitioned into a character actor, working in Europe in the 1960s and starring alongside Debbie Reynolds and Sandra Dee.

The 1966 western The Appaloosa opposite Marlon Brando led to a best supporting actor Golden Globe nomination.

Saxon then made guest appearances on 1970s television staples like The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Starsky and Hutch and The Rockford Files.

Among his 200-plus credits in the industry, his police officer role in the Nightmare series was his most iconic.

He revived the role and played a fictionalised version of himself in Wes Craven's New Nightmare, with his final role taking part in the 2017 film The Extra.

Bruce Lee's daughter paid tribute to the star on her late father's Twitter page today.

🐉🙏🏽 Sad day. Our condolences to the Saxon family. Thank you for your talent, John. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/FvnAka9egf

— Bruce Lee (@brucelee) July 26, 2020