Quentin Tarantino Announces the Passing of His ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD Character Rick Dalton
Director Quentin Tarantino creates his characters in such an in-depth way, it seems like they are real people, and we are just seeing a snapshot of their lives. One that he has really honed in on and given real life to is the character Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Dalton was a Hollywood actor in the 1950s-70s, mostly portraying cowboys in Western genre movies and shows, with his most popular being the series, Bounty Law.
Tarantino has given a whole life to Dalton, releasing the fictional list of acting credits tied to the actor’s name, and even wrote a book about his life and career. But sadly, just as the director gave him life, Tarantino has announced that his famed Hollywood Western character, “Rick Dalton” has passed away.
Tarantino announced the character’s death via a tweet through The Video Archives, a podcast co-hosted by the director and his Pulp Fiction co-writer Roger Avary.
“We are saddened by the news of the passing of actor Rick Dalton, best known for his roles in the hit TV series ‘Bounty Law’ and ‘The Fireman’ trilogy.” The tweet also offered additional information about the history of Dalton, stating that “Rick passed away peacefully in his home in Hawaii and is survived by his wife Francesca. RIP Rick Dalton 1933-2023.”
In the podcast, the duo revisit VHS classics such as Moonraker, Star 80, Rodan, and more. In a followup tweet after the death announcement, the series promised to spend the next episode focused on some of Dalton’s favorite roles.
“Because of his passing, the episode for Rollerball has been postponed. Instead, we will come back on Tuesday with a memorial episode designed by Quentin that features some of Rick’s best roles.”
The New Beverly Cinema, which is owned and operated by Tarantino, expressed its condolences over the loss of Dalton with a special marquee dubbing him “a wonderful actor.”
Check out the Tweets below, and listen in on the Podcast this week to see if Tarantino holds to the promise of dedicating the next episode to Rick Dalton.