Anthony Guidera, the actor whose credits included The Godfather Part III, Species, The Rock, and Armageddon, has died. He was 65.
Guidera died on June 6 after spending about three weeks on life support, his wife, Valarie, told TMZ. People reported that he collapsed at the couple’s Southern California home on May 11 after his heart stopped.
Valarie said doctors were not able to determine what caused the cardiac arrest. According to People, Guidera was taken off life support according to a prior directive.
The actor appeared in nearly 30 film and television projects between 1990 and 2005, with his best-known credits coming from The Godfather Part III and Species.
His Wife Said He Had Been on Life Support for Three Weeks
Entertainment Weekly reported that Guidera suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in May and was placed on life support after being rushed to the hospital. Valarie told TMZ that he died peacefully after life support was discontinued.
People reported that Guidera and Valarie volunteered with Astara, a spiritual foundation in Palos Verdes Estates, California. The organization referred to him as “Reverend Anthony” in its public tribute after his death.
Valarie also commented on a friend’s Instagram tribute, writing that the death of “the man that holds my heart and shares my soul” was devastating.
Guidera Started His Film Career in The Godfather Part III
Guidera made his onscreen acting debut in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1990 film The Godfather Part III. People reported that he played a bodyguard named Anthony.
He later appeared in Undercover Heat, Species, The Rock, The Postman, Armageddon, The Annihilation of Fish, and L.A. Dicks. His television credits included Baywatch, The Good News, and ER.
People reported that L.A. Dicks, released in 2005, was Guidera’s final listed onscreen acting credit.
Species Gave Him His Best-Known Pop-Culture Moment
In Species, Guidera played Robbie opposite Natasha Henstridge. Entertainment Weekly reported that the role earned him and Henstridge the 1996 MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss.
The award put one of Guidera’s briefest screen appearances among his most widely remembered credits. People also cited the Species win while listing his major film and television work.
He Is Survived by His Wife and Son
Guidera is survived by Valarie and their son, Nick, according to Entertainment Weekly.
In a Facebook post quoted by EW, Valarie announced the sudden death of “our beloved Anthony” and asked friends to keep the family in their prayers.