After hearing the heartbreaking news, fans have taken to social media to pay tribute.
One person shared, “Such sad news—his memory will continue to bloom in our hearts. Rest in peace.” Another wrote, “He worked so hard and was truly one of a kind. I was always excited to see what he’d do next in film. Rest in peace.” A third reflected, “He was supremely talented. It’s amazing how someone so kind could portray such terrifying villains.” A fourth fan added, “I’m deeply sorry to hear of his passing. My heart goes out to all who knew, worked with, and loved him.”

Samuel French, a 45-year-old actor from Waco, Texas, earned recognition for his role in the Oscar-nominated Killers of the Flower Moon, where he portrayed Robinson, a former cowboy turned federal agent involved in the FBI’s first major homicide case—the Osage murders of the 1920s.
French’s journey to the big screen began when he attended a local casting call in Waco. His performance caught the eye of legendary director Martin Scorsese, who cast him in the film. In a memorable scene alongside Robert De Niro, French’s portrayal left a lasting impression, prompting Scorsese to tell him, “No one could have played Robinson as well as you did.”
In addition to Killers of the Flower Moon, French has appeared in Fear the Walking Dead, Texas Rising, and starred as the lead detective in Joe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sister.

In 2024, French won the Best Supporting Actor at the Los Angeles Film Awards for his performance in Monsters Within.
French received the Best Actor award at the Liverpool Indie Awards for his performance in Blood Dried Hands. His final role was in the upcoming historical drama Towpath, set in 1964 during the civil rights movement, where he portrayed a detective. The film was directed by his longtime friend Paul Sinacore.
Sinacore shared that French passed away in his hometown of Waco following a long battle with cancer, which had spread throughout his body.
French is survived by his 12-year-old daughter, Madison; his girlfriend, Melinda; his parents, Gary and Darlene; and his brothers, Andy and Danny.

