Kevyn Major Howard, known for appearing as Rafterman in the 1987 Stanley Kubrick Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket, has died at the age of 69.
“Kevyn Major Howard gave and gave and gave so much to the world and especially the men and women of our armed forces,” wrote his friend and former co-star Matthew Modine on X in a tribute. “He became famous for his role of ‘Rafterman’ in Stanley Kubrick’s FULL METAL JACKET. His portrayal gave him a unique entrée into the world of the US Marine Corps. This led him on a decades-long journey to be in service of our nation’s bravest. Thank you for your dedication to others and to America. May all the gods bless you Kevyn. Rest in peace. #SemperFidelis”
He attached a photo from set featuring the “Lusthog Squad,” which included Howard alongside himself and co-stars Sal Lopez, Gary Landon Mills and Adam Baldwin. “We’re being lit by fire in this photo. We went to this source of warmth because the winter of 1985 was particularly freezing,” he added.
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Howard died Friday in a Las Vegas hospital surrounded by his loved ones, TMZ reported per his family. While his cause of death is yet to be determined, he had been hospitalized for weeks due to respiratory problems, the outlet, which first broke the news, said.
Born Jan. 27, 1956 in Montreal, Quebec, Howard soon moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. His credits on TV include Cagney & Lacey; The A-Team; MacGyver; Magnum, P.I. and The Outsiders. His last credited appearance is in Crusade in 1999, per IMDb.
On the silver screen, Howard has acted alongside Clint Eastwood in 1983’s Sudden Impact, James Caan in 1988’s Alien Nation and Charles Bronson in 1982’s Death Wish II.
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