Actor Paul D’Amato has left for his heavenly abode on Monday after a four-year battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disease aged 75. His unexpected demise has led to an outpouring of tributes and reflections on his remarkable life and career.
The roles he played in the hockey classic Slap Shot and the Oscar-winning The Deer Hunter were what made him most famous. He played Tim “Dr. Hook” McCracken.
Combining acting and athletics paid him heaps in 1976 when he was cast as goon Tim “Dr. Hook” McCracken in a hockey movie starring the legendary Paul Newman. Also considered one of the top sports movies of all time, Slap Shot was released in February 1977 and almost instantly attained cult classic status.
He was also known for his roles in notable productions such as “Slap Shot” (1977), “The Deer Hunter” (1978), and “Suspect” (1987). His legacy in entertainment will be especially cherished and celebrated by fans and colleagues alike.
Over the course of a multi-decade career, D’Amato made a great impact on the acting community. He was able to lead a satisfying life on the slopes and in the theater because of his early discovery of his passions for acting and skiing. Those fortunate enough to have known him will always be changed by his unwavering commitment to and passion for his work.
On February 19, 2024, Paul D’Amato tragically passed away from progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain condition. Many people are upset by this news because D’Amato bravely battled this crippling ailment for four years. His tenacity and fortitude in the face of such a difficult illness have motivated a great number of people.
Finally, with every player save one involved in a bloody mayhem across the ice, Chiefs forward Ned Braden, the lone non-fighter, skates to center ice and starts a striptease routine to impress his wife, whom he just found out is present. An outraged McCracken, who has stripped off his jersey to reveal his skates and jockstrap, breaks from the altercation to approach the referee. He calls Braden’s demonstration “obscene” and punches the official in the back of the head, costing his team the match and the championship.