Cinema mourns: Legendary action star (75) and iconic Bond villain (92) pass away
- Replies 8
The entertainment world has lost two influential figures, both leaving behind remarkable legacies in film and television.
One was a martial arts icon who trained some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, shaping the action genre both on and off-screen.
The other was a veteran character actor best remembered for his role in a classic James Bond film, creating one of the franchise’s most memorable villains.
Australian martial arts legend Richard Norton, known for training some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, has passed away at the age of 75.
Norton died in Melbourne, and his wife, Judy Green, shared the heartbreaking news in a post on social media.
‘I am numb and devastated, I have no words, I have lost my everything,’ she wrote.
‘I know there is, and will be lots of love and shock that we have lost this incredible human being. The love of my life. I’m using this time to come to terms with my great loss. Judy.’
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry.
Karen Fukuhara, star of Suicide Squad, commented: ‘I am so sorry.’
Norton was a martial artist, stunt performer, and fight choreographer who worked with some of Hollywood’s most famous names.
He held black belts in karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and was a respected figure in action cinema.
His career spanned decades, from his early appearance as a bodyguard in the 1977 ABBA: The Movie to his memorable role opposite Chuck Norris in The Octagon.
His fight scene with Cynthia Rothrock in The Magic Crystal and his showdown with Norris in The Octagon were among his most iconic screen moments.
Beyond acting, Norton worked behind the scenes on blockbuster films, choreographing fights for Mad Max: Fury Road, Suicide Squad, and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
One of his final roles was a small part in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Over the years, he trained Hollywood’s elite, including Jackie Chan, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Sophie Turner, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ben Affleck, Margot Robbie, Charlie Hunnam, and Liam Neeson.
He also worked with music legends like ABBA and Stevie Nicks.
A 2023 interview reflected his perspective on his evolving career.
‘I did 60 movies in the ‘80s and ‘90s but the older you get the less roles there are unless you are playing someone’s dad or an ageing gangster, and I get that,’ he said.
‘I was lucky enough to learn what it is like behind the camera and that is where my main career is now. My job is to train the actors up, figure out the choreography, choreograph the fights and then teach the actors how to perform the fights and make sure they look good on set.’
‘I just give them the tools….I teach them the skill set they need to perform certain fights, so then when I get to choreograph the fights they already know how to execute the moves, so we can concentrate on putting the actual fight together.’
‘I always say what you do and what you put on celluloid is there forever.’
Norton’s influence on action cinema was widely acknowledged.
Actor Robert Patrick, known for Terminator 2: Judgement Day, paid tribute, writing: ‘I am deeply saddened to share that my friend Richard Norton has passed away.
‘He was an extraordinary individual, a towering figure in the martial arts community, and a contemporary of Chuck Norris. In addition to his impressive career as a highly sought-after bodyguard for rock stars, he made his mark as an accomplished fight coordinator on major films.’
‘More than that, he was a wonderful human being, and I feel fortunate to have shared the screen with him in Equalizer 2000. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Judy, and his family during this difficult time.’
Fans and industry professionals also expressed their sorrow.
A post from Bulletproof Action on social media read: ‘Devastating news. Richard Norton has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans.
‘Norton was a superb martial artist who spent decades contributing to the world of action entertainment. He will be greatly missed.’
Action-Flix.com honoured him, writing: ‘R.I.P. to one of the legit bad asses on and off the screen…Richard Norton. A fan since the early days I was actually setting up an interview with him and he couldn’t have been any nicer.’
‘He was one of the best there was and ever will be. Action Cinema has lost a true pioneer …’
Norton’s impact on action cinema was undeniable, with his fight choreography and on-screen combat leaving a lasting legacy.
One of his most memorable fight scenes showcased his skill and intensity in a classic showdown.
Watch the video below to see him in action.
Source: Youtube/onetwoone78
Another legendary figure in cinema, Bruce Glover, also passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy in film and television.
Bruce Glover, best known for his role as Mr. Wint in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, has died at the age of 92.
His son, Charlie’s Angels actor Crispin Glover, confirmed his passing in a post on social media.
‘Bruce Herbert Glover. May 2, 1932 – March 12, 2025,’ he wrote alongside a childhood photo with his parents.
No cause of death was provided.
Born in Chicago, Glover began his career in theatre before transitioning to television.
He made guest appearances in numerous shows, including The Mod Squad, Gunsmoke, My Favourite Martian, and The Rat Patrol.
Over his lifetime, he performed in hundreds of plays, including two Broadway productions, and starred in notable films such as Chinatown, Hard Times, and Bless the Beasts and Children.
However, his most memorable role was in Diamonds Are Forever, where he played one half of the villainous duo Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd alongside Putter Smith.
The characters were a pair of assassins whose attempts at mayhem often resulted in disaster.
In a 2021 interview, Glover reflected on his unique approach to the role.
‘I am really a very talented actor and I think differently from most actors,’ he said.
‘So there I was on the set outside of Vegas in the desert, and we were going to be shooting in about two hours, and we were doing our make-up and wardrobe, and I still didn’t know which role I was going to play.’
‘I suddenly realised that I didn’t know what I was going to do with the part, and I was going to be probably on the set with Sean Connery pretty soon, and I thought, oh my god, I’m going to be terrible.’
He admitted he feared being fired from the film but ultimately found confidence in the moment.
‘The first step for any actor is you have to get out of worrying about how you’re going to do it and just connect with something live,’ he said.
‘So I started looking at the sky and around and seeing things and finally, at about seven in the morning, I took in a breath of air from the desert and it was cool and wonderful and I felt great.’
His passing marks the loss of another veteran of classic Hollywood cinema.
Bruce Glover’s portrayal of the sinister yet darkly comedic Mr. Wint remains one of the most memorable villainous performances in James Bond history. His dynamic with Putter Smith as Mr. Kidd brought a unique flair to Diamonds Are Forever.
Watch one of their most iconic scenes below.
Source: Youtube/Ronald Brown
Both Richard Norton and Bruce Glover left an indelible mark on the film industry, shaping action cinema and unforgettable characters.
Rest in peace, Richard and Bruce.
One was a martial arts icon who trained some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, shaping the action genre both on and off-screen.
The other was a veteran character actor best remembered for his role in a classic James Bond film, creating one of the franchise’s most memorable villains.
Australian martial arts legend Richard Norton, known for training some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, has passed away at the age of 75.
Norton died in Melbourne, and his wife, Judy Green, shared the heartbreaking news in a post on social media.
‘I am numb and devastated, I have no words, I have lost my everything,’ she wrote.
Martial arts icon Richard Norton dies at 75. Image source: Instagram
‘I know there is, and will be lots of love and shock that we have lost this incredible human being. The love of my life. I’m using this time to come to terms with my great loss. Judy.’
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry.
Karen Fukuhara, star of Suicide Squad, commented: ‘I am so sorry.’
Norton was a martial artist, stunt performer, and fight choreographer who worked with some of Hollywood’s most famous names.
He held black belts in karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and was a respected figure in action cinema.
His career spanned decades, from his early appearance as a bodyguard in the 1977 ABBA: The Movie to his memorable role opposite Chuck Norris in The Octagon.
His fight scene with Cynthia Rothrock in The Magic Crystal and his showdown with Norris in The Octagon were among his most iconic screen moments.
Beyond acting, Norton worked behind the scenes on blockbuster films, choreographing fights for Mad Max: Fury Road, Suicide Squad, and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
One of his final roles was a small part in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Over the years, he trained Hollywood’s elite, including Jackie Chan, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Sophie Turner, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ben Affleck, Margot Robbie, Charlie Hunnam, and Liam Neeson.
He also worked with music legends like ABBA and Stevie Nicks.
A 2023 interview reflected his perspective on his evolving career.
‘I did 60 movies in the ‘80s and ‘90s but the older you get the less roles there are unless you are playing someone’s dad or an ageing gangster, and I get that,’ he said.
‘I was lucky enough to learn what it is like behind the camera and that is where my main career is now. My job is to train the actors up, figure out the choreography, choreograph the fights and then teach the actors how to perform the fights and make sure they look good on set.’
‘I just give them the tools….I teach them the skill set they need to perform certain fights, so then when I get to choreograph the fights they already know how to execute the moves, so we can concentrate on putting the actual fight together.’
‘I always say what you do and what you put on celluloid is there forever.’
Norton’s influence on action cinema was widely acknowledged.
Actor Robert Patrick, known for Terminator 2: Judgement Day, paid tribute, writing: ‘I am deeply saddened to share that my friend Richard Norton has passed away.
‘He was an extraordinary individual, a towering figure in the martial arts community, and a contemporary of Chuck Norris. In addition to his impressive career as a highly sought-after bodyguard for rock stars, he made his mark as an accomplished fight coordinator on major films.’
‘More than that, he was a wonderful human being, and I feel fortunate to have shared the screen with him in Equalizer 2000. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Judy, and his family during this difficult time.’
Fans and industry professionals also expressed their sorrow.
A post from Bulletproof Action on social media read: ‘Devastating news. Richard Norton has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans.
‘Norton was a superb martial artist who spent decades contributing to the world of action entertainment. He will be greatly missed.’
Action-Flix.com honoured him, writing: ‘R.I.P. to one of the legit bad asses on and off the screen…Richard Norton. A fan since the early days I was actually setting up an interview with him and he couldn’t have been any nicer.’
‘He was one of the best there was and ever will be. Action Cinema has lost a true pioneer …’
Norton’s impact on action cinema was undeniable, with his fight choreography and on-screen combat leaving a lasting legacy.
One of his most memorable fight scenes showcased his skill and intensity in a classic showdown.
Watch the video below to see him in action.
Source: Youtube/onetwoone78
Another legendary figure in cinema, Bruce Glover, also passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy in film and television.
Bruce Glover, best known for his role as Mr. Wint in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, has died at the age of 92.
His son, Charlie’s Angels actor Crispin Glover, confirmed his passing in a post on social media.
James Bond villain Bruce Glover dies at 92. Image source: Instagram
‘Bruce Herbert Glover. May 2, 1932 – March 12, 2025,’ he wrote alongside a childhood photo with his parents.
No cause of death was provided.
Born in Chicago, Glover began his career in theatre before transitioning to television.
He made guest appearances in numerous shows, including The Mod Squad, Gunsmoke, My Favourite Martian, and The Rat Patrol.
Over his lifetime, he performed in hundreds of plays, including two Broadway productions, and starred in notable films such as Chinatown, Hard Times, and Bless the Beasts and Children.
However, his most memorable role was in Diamonds Are Forever, where he played one half of the villainous duo Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd alongside Putter Smith.
The characters were a pair of assassins whose attempts at mayhem often resulted in disaster.
In a 2021 interview, Glover reflected on his unique approach to the role.
‘I am really a very talented actor and I think differently from most actors,’ he said.
‘So there I was on the set outside of Vegas in the desert, and we were going to be shooting in about two hours, and we were doing our make-up and wardrobe, and I still didn’t know which role I was going to play.’
‘I suddenly realised that I didn’t know what I was going to do with the part, and I was going to be probably on the set with Sean Connery pretty soon, and I thought, oh my god, I’m going to be terrible.’
He admitted he feared being fired from the film but ultimately found confidence in the moment.
‘The first step for any actor is you have to get out of worrying about how you’re going to do it and just connect with something live,’ he said.
‘So I started looking at the sky and around and seeing things and finally, at about seven in the morning, I took in a breath of air from the desert and it was cool and wonderful and I felt great.’
His passing marks the loss of another veteran of classic Hollywood cinema.
Bruce Glover’s portrayal of the sinister yet darkly comedic Mr. Wint remains one of the most memorable villainous performances in James Bond history. His dynamic with Putter Smith as Mr. Kidd brought a unique flair to Diamonds Are Forever.
Watch one of their most iconic scenes below.
Source: Youtube/Ronald Brown
Both Richard Norton and Bruce Glover left an indelible mark on the film industry, shaping action cinema and unforgettable characters.
Rest in peace, Richard and Bruce.
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