Beloved actor Peter Jason died at the age of 80 after a decades-long career in the entertainment industry.
His colleagues and loved ones began sharing news of Jason’s death on social media Feb. 20. The star appeared in 267 movies, television series and video games over the course of his 50 years in the spotlight, and is being remembered for his talents and the incredible legacy he has left behind. Some of his most notable credits included 1984’s original “The Karate Kid,” “Deadwood,” “The Hunt for Red October” and “Village of the Damned.” Jason’s cause of death has not been publicly released.
SANTA MONICA, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Actor Peter Jason attends the premiere of Gudegast – Braeden’s “The Man Who Came Back” at the Aero Theater on February 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Horror filmmaker John Carpenter cast Jason in seven of his movies including “Prince of Darkness,” “They Live,” “Body Bags,” “In the Mouth of Madness,” “Escape from L.A.” and “Ghosts of Mars.” He publicly mourned the death of his colleague and friend Feb. 20 on X by writing “Peter Jason, one of the great character actors in cinema, has died. His first movie was Howard Hawks’ RIO LOBO. He was a dear friend and I’ll miss him terribly.”
Peter Jason, one of the great character actors in cinema, has died. His first movie was Howard Hawks’ RIO LOBO. He was a dear friend and I’ll miss him terribly.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) February 20, 2025
Billy Zane mourned Jason’s death on Instagram and shared a carousel of photographs that captured Jason in his happiest moments.
“If there are no words then there certainly is no music.. My dear, dear friend, the brightest light, most generous soul and gregarious of men, the supremely talented and kind Peter Jason has left the set,” Zane wrote on Instagram.
“Survived by his lovely wife Eileen and his children, the vacuum felt by his passing gut punched me as I saw it coming. It had me spending the last two hours deciding between pieces of music to underscore this tribute that would either confuse, tickle or bore 1/2 of the viewers,” he wrote.
SANTA MONICA, CA – FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Actor Eric Braeden, boxer Daisy Lang and actor Peter Jason attend the premiere of Gudegast – Braeden’s “The Man Who Came Back” at the Aero Theater on February 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
“They ranged from Spike Jones to Morricone. I couldn’t pick one so I chose none. All I know is his wake will be widely attended by and teeter somewhere between a Friar’s Roast to a burial at sea befitting an admiral.”
Zane signed off by writing, “See you on the back 9 my friend! RIP PJ 🙏🏼”
Jason’s career began with 1967’s “A Bell for Adano” and took flight from there. He went on to appear in “Mortal Kombat,” and reprised his “Deadwood” role in 2019’s “Deadwood: The Movie.”
He also voiced the video games “Gears of War 2” and “Gears of War 3.”
Social media has erupted with messages from fans and friends as they pay tribute to the star. (RELATED: ‘Dallas’ Star Alice Hirson Dead At 95)
Jason leaves behind his wife Eileen and daughter Robin Goldwasser.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
