Samuel French, Fearless Screen Presence and Scorsese Collaborator, Dies at 45

LOS ANGELES - EntSun -- Samuel French, the magnetic actor celebrated for his uncompromising dedication to his craft, died on May 9, 2025 in Waco, Texas. He was 45.

His career was marked by 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 epic.

Television audiences knew him best from The Walking Dead, where he portrayed Isaac, a role that showcased his rare ability to fuse raw energy with deep emotional vulnerability. Throughout his career, he established himself as a fearless actor who gave everything to the truth of the moment.

His final performance appears in Towpath, written and directed by Paul Sinacore and currently in post-production. He stars opposite Eric Roberts as Detective Bernard Crooke, a role that, according to Sinacore, defined the emotional and tonal center of the film.

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"Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor," Sinacore said. "Towpath wouldn't exist without him. The intensity he brought to Detective Bernard Crooke set the tone for the entire  film. We were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything to realize a shared 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'm deeply saddened by his loss and only wish he could have seen the final cut. He was one of a kind and will remain in our hearts. My heart goes out to his family, especially his daughter, he loved her deeply and spoke of her often with pride and tenderness. His friendship had a profound impact on my life." Known in the industry for his passionate temperament and relentless pursuit of truth in performance, French was revered by directors and collaborators alike. His energy was unpredictable, his discipline unwavering, and his presence unforgettable.

While plans for a public tribute are to be determined, the impact of Samuel French's work and spirit is already deeply felt across the creative community. His legacy lives on in the roles he inhabited, the risks he took and the stories he helped bring to life.

https://www.paulsinacorecasting.com/