'Airwolf' Star Jan-Michael Vincent Dead at Age 74
It has been a sad week in television history. First, we said goodbye to “90210” star Luke Perry, and now we remember “Airwolf” actor and ’80s icon, Jan-Michael Vincent.
Vincent passed away at the age of 74 after suffering a heart attack on Feb. 10, 2019, TMZ reported. He was reportedly cremated without an autopsy.
Jan Michael Vincent passes away on Feb. 10th in an Asheville NC hospital and we are just now seeing it in the news. I hope he is now at peace. #JanMichaelVincent pic.twitter.com/E2RYIK5zq5
— Tony Radford (@tony_radford) March 8, 2019
Born July 15, 1944, in Denver, Colorado, Vincent was first discovered while nearing the end of his service with the National Guard.
He landed his first role under the name Mike Vincent in the film “The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk” in 1967.
RIP Jan Michael Vincent. That’s right you Millenials, the guy that’s referenced in Rick and Morty… ???…but more importantly gave us the show that answered the question “What if Kitt was a helicopter?” pic.twitter.com/ZWUpPhyeXK
— ??THEIrishNerd?? (@gazmataz1981) March 8, 2019
According to TMZ, his role as Stringfellow Hawke made Vincent the highest paid actor of his time, reportedly paid $200,000 per episode.
‘Airwolf’ Star Jan-Michael Vincent Dead at 74 https://t.co/RjedpaN0HP
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 8, 2019
In a 2007 interview with “The Insider” Vincent said, “I never thought about being the highest paid. I just want to be someone that people care about watching.”
Many have come out with heartfelt condolences to remember Vincent in the wake of his passing. “Airwolf was part of my childhood,” fan Paul Ainger tweeted.
RIP Jan Michael Vincent, my childhood crush. ?#JanMichaelVincent pic.twitter.com/xE1lTLHC2D
— Signed, Mom (@SignedMom) March 8, 2019
Signed Mom tweeted that Vincent was her “childhood crush” and Doug Chavez wrote, “Thank you for being so cool!”
While most newer generations won’t remember the coolness that was Stringfellow Hawke, those of us who have been around a while know that television just isn’t the same without him.
When I was a kid I thought he was one of the coolest guys on TV. Loved Airwolf!
R.I.P. Jan Michael Vincent pic.twitter.com/xuRnJWJQFH— JAYBONE (@JAYBONE5150) March 8, 2019
His personality will be missed and our thoughts go out to any family members or loved ones he may have left behind.
Do you remember “Airwolf”? If so, you might feel the same way many of these fans feel — Jan-Michael Vincent remains one of the coolest heroes in television history.
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