Ed Lauter, character actor in 'Longest Yard' and more, dies at 74

Of course you remember Ed Lauter. He made a career as a character actor with roles in classics like The Longest Yard, Real Genius, Gleaming the Cube any many more. In fact, he had more than 50 acting credits in the '80s alone. I'm sad to report Mr. Lauter died Wednesday at age 74 after a battle with mesothelioma, USA Today reports.

Eighties fan probably recognize him first either as Deborah Foreman's dad in Real Genius or even as the prison guard-turned-football play in 1974's The Longest Yard. Other '80s credits include spots on The A-Team, Hardcastle and McCormick, B.J. and the Bear and the punchy but lovable hockey coach in Youngblood.

The Long Island, N.Y., native laughed at the public's ability to recognize his face but not his roles when meeting him in reali life. "They'll say, 'Oh, yeah! There's that guy! You were in … you were in … ."