Free Willy Star August Schellenberg Dies at 77

August Schellenberg, best known for his role in Free Willy , died Thursday from cancer, TMZ reports. He was 77.

The actor passed away peacefully in Texas, surrounded by loved ones.

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A Canada native, Schellenberg, who was part Mohawk and part Swiss-German, played Jesse's Native American mentor Randolph Johnson in Free Willy and reprised the role in both sequels. Schellenberg earned an Emmy nomination in 2007 for the TV movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee . He also appeared in the Christian Bale film The New World in 2005 and made appearances on Saving Grace and Grey's Anatomy. Schellenberg is survived by his wife, Joan Karasevich, and three daughters.

View original <i>Free Willy</i> Star August Schellenberg Dies at 77 at TVGuide.com

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