The ‘Vice Squad’ And ‘Tough Guys Don’t Dance’ Actor Was 77

Wings Hauser, a character actor with over 100 film and television credits, died Saturday at his home in Santa Monica, California after battling COPD. He was 77.

“Wings Hauser’s one of a kind, legendary career spanned 58 years in movies, TV and music working alongside many of the greatest artists in the industry and earning their respect,” wrote his wife Cali on Instagram.

Born Gerald Dwight Hauser on December 12, 1947 in Hollywood, California, Wings Hauser made his film debut in the 1967 war film First to Fight. Following a number of early guest roles in TV series including Cannon, Movin’ On, Baretta and Emergency!, Hauser shifted to daytime as Greg Foster in The Young and the Restless from 1977 to 1981. Nearly 30 years later, in 2010, he revived the character for three episodes.

In 1982, Hauser attracted attention for his role as an abusive pimp named Ramrod in the crime thriller Vice Squad, which also featured his voice singing the film’s theme song. The following year he came up with the idea for the Vietnam-era war film Uncommon Valor, starring Gene Hackman and Patrick Swayze.

In 1986, Hauser was cast in the NBC police parody The Last Precinct opposite Adam West and Ernie Hudson, which aired for eight episodes. One year later, he earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male in the crime mystery dramedy Tough Guys Don’t Dance.

More television gigs followed, including recurring parts in the series China Beach, Roseanne and Beverly Hills, 90210. In 1991, Hauser headlined the one season syndication action-themed drama Lightning Force. And his film resume included Wilding (1990), Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991), Michael Mann’s The Insider (1999) and Rubber (2010).

Hauser’s appearances on television included TV dramas The Mentalist, The Defenders, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Hawaii Five-O and Castle.

In addition to wife Cali, survivors include his children Bright Hauser and Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone; his two sisters; and his grandchildren, Hutchinson, Holden, Ryland, Colt and Steely Rose.