Tributes pour over the sudden passing of Aussie baseball star (53) and Hollywood actor (45)
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The sport and entertainment industries mourn the passing of two figures deemed gone too soon.
One brought pride to Australia with his sportsmanship, while the other entertained audiences worldwide with his talent.
Australian sport fans mourn the sudden loss of baseball star Adam Burton. He was 53 years old.
Known affectionately as 'Hollywood' or 'Burto' to friends, teammates, and fans, Burton's larger-than-life personality and talent left an indelible mark on the baseball community.
From his early days as a junior at Waverley Baseball Club in Melbourne's south-east, it was clear he was destined for greatness.
With his lightning speed, powerful bat, and polished glove, Burton caught the attention of countless international scouts.
As a teenager, he was signed to a professional contract by the Baltimore Orioles.
He later spent time with the Atlanta Braves system in the United States.
While his time in the United States was cut short, Burton came home to Australia.
He then became a driving force in the Australian Baseball League (ABL).
Adam Burton played for several clubs, including the Waverley Reds, Brisbane Bandits, and Melbourne Reds and was instrumental in his team's championships.
His 1995 season with the Waverley Reds sparked widespread buzz, and his 1996 move to the Brisbane Bandits further cemented his legacy as a player.
He proudly represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
He also competed at the Baseball World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and the World Youth Series.
Despite battling an ankle injury during the Olympics, his commitment and passion for the game never wavered.
Adam Burton's impact went beyond the diamond field.
He led the Preston Pirates to a VSBL Division 2 Premiership as the club's coach back in the 2017-18 season.
He also helped Watsonia reach the A Grade Grand Final in 2024.
Baseball clubs across Victoria paid tribute to Burton's talent, personality, and generosity.
Waverley Baseball Club bade farewell to 'one of the finest players' in the country.
'He was dynamic, explosive and had an intrinsic love of the spotlight,' the club wrote in a statement.
'Behind the cheeky smile was a baseball genius and gifted teacher of the game,' the Blackburn Baseball Club wrote in their tribute.
'To a budding group of young burners about to take their first steps into Division 1 baseball, Burto was an idol. Idol turned teammate, teammate turned friend.'
'We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have had Adam as a member of our club. A three-time premiership player, a first-nine MVP and a member of Blackburn's Finest. We remember him as one of the all-time greats.'
'Adam will always be remembered for his unwavering love of the game and infectious personality,' Baseball Victoria stated.
'He will be truly missed, and we send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow club members during this difficult time.'
On the other side of the globe, the film industry mourns the sudden passing of one of its talented stars.
Actor Samuel French's life was tragically cut short at just 45 years old.
Best known for his role in Martin Scorsese's Oscar-nominated epic, Killers of the Flower Moon, French's passing left fans and colleagues looking back on his career and legacy.
Samuel French's performances were always marked by quiet intensity and deep commitment to his craft.
In Killers of the Flower Moon, French played the undercover FBI agent CJ Robinson and investigated the harrowing Osage murders in the film.
However, French's talents were not limited to the said Scorsese film.
Over the years, he built an impressive resume as he appeared in the popular series Fear the Walking Dead and crime dramas The Mark of a Killer and Cherry Town 2023.
He also took on roles in independent projects like The Pro Bono Watchman, Joe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sister, and the family film Pegasus: Pony with a Broken Wing.
His most recent on-screen appearance was in the 2024 crime thriller Blood Dried Hands.
Samuel French was recently awarded Best Supporting Actor at the Los Angeles Film Awards for his role in Monsters Within.
He also took home the Best Actor prize at the Liverpool Indie Awards for Blood Dried Hands.
These accolades were fitting tributes to a man who gave so much to his craft and was only beginning to receive the recognition he deserved.
Behind the scenes, French fought a battle of his own.
In what would become one of his final posts on social media, French shared a candid photo of himself on a hospital bed.
'Getting IV for much-needed hydration,' he wrote in the post, hinting at the health struggles he faced.
According to filmmaker Paul Sinacore, the actor had been struggling with cancer for several years.
Despite the toll the illness took on his body, French continued to pour his heart into his work.
Sinacore and French worked together for the upcoming historical drama Towpath.
'Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor,' Sinacore wrote in a tribute for the actor.
'Towpath would not exist without him and the incredible intensity he brought to the role of Det. Bernard Crooke set the tone for the entire film.'
'Together we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realise a shared creative vision,' he concluded.
Samuel French is survived by his daughter Madison, his girlfriend Melinda, his parents Gary and Darlene, and his brothers Andy and Danny.
Samuel French's passing should be a reminder of how precious life is and how important it is to cherish every moment.
French's performances will live on, touching the hearts of audiences for years to come.
We share our heartfelt condolences to both Adam Burton and Samuel French's families during this difficult time.
May they both rest in peace.
One brought pride to Australia with his sportsmanship, while the other entertained audiences worldwide with his talent.
Australian sport fans mourn the sudden loss of baseball star Adam Burton. He was 53 years old.
Known affectionately as 'Hollywood' or 'Burto' to friends, teammates, and fans, Burton's larger-than-life personality and talent left an indelible mark on the baseball community.
From his early days as a junior at Waverley Baseball Club in Melbourne's south-east, it was clear he was destined for greatness.
Adam Burton had an impressive career run as a player and a coach. Image Credit: Baseball Victoria
With his lightning speed, powerful bat, and polished glove, Burton caught the attention of countless international scouts.
As a teenager, he was signed to a professional contract by the Baltimore Orioles.
He later spent time with the Atlanta Braves system in the United States.
While his time in the United States was cut short, Burton came home to Australia.
He then became a driving force in the Australian Baseball League (ABL).
Adam Burton played for several clubs, including the Waverley Reds, Brisbane Bandits, and Melbourne Reds and was instrumental in his team's championships.
His 1995 season with the Waverley Reds sparked widespread buzz, and his 1996 move to the Brisbane Bandits further cemented his legacy as a player.
He proudly represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
He also competed at the Baseball World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and the World Youth Series.
Despite battling an ankle injury during the Olympics, his commitment and passion for the game never wavered.
Adam Burton's impact went beyond the diamond field.
After his professional baseball career, he continued to play and coach at local clubs in Waverley, Blackburn, Melbourne, Preston, and Watsonia.He led the Preston Pirates to a VSBL Division 2 Premiership as the club's coach back in the 2017-18 season.
He also helped Watsonia reach the A Grade Grand Final in 2024.
Baseball clubs across Victoria paid tribute to Burton's talent, personality, and generosity.
Waverley Baseball Club bade farewell to 'one of the finest players' in the country.
'He was dynamic, explosive and had an intrinsic love of the spotlight,' the club wrote in a statement.
'Behind the cheeky smile was a baseball genius and gifted teacher of the game,' the Blackburn Baseball Club wrote in their tribute.
'To a budding group of young burners about to take their first steps into Division 1 baseball, Burto was an idol. Idol turned teammate, teammate turned friend.'
'We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have had Adam as a member of our club. A three-time premiership player, a first-nine MVP and a member of Blackburn's Finest. We remember him as one of the all-time greats.'
'Adam will always be remembered for his unwavering love of the game and infectious personality,' Baseball Victoria stated.
'He will be truly missed, and we send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow club members during this difficult time.'
On the other side of the globe, the film industry mourns the sudden passing of one of its talented stars.
Actor Samuel French's life was tragically cut short at just 45 years old.
Best known for his role in Martin Scorsese's Oscar-nominated epic, Killers of the Flower Moon, French's passing left fans and colleagues looking back on his career and legacy.
Samuel French's performances were always marked by quiet intensity and deep commitment to his craft.
Samuel French (centre) with Killers of the Flower Moon director, Martin Scorsese. Image Credit: IMdB
In Killers of the Flower Moon, French played the undercover FBI agent CJ Robinson and investigated the harrowing Osage murders in the film.
However, French's talents were not limited to the said Scorsese film.
Over the years, he built an impressive resume as he appeared in the popular series Fear the Walking Dead and crime dramas The Mark of a Killer and Cherry Town 2023.
He also took on roles in independent projects like The Pro Bono Watchman, Joe Haladin: The Case of the Missing Sister, and the family film Pegasus: Pony with a Broken Wing.
His most recent on-screen appearance was in the 2024 crime thriller Blood Dried Hands.
Samuel French was recently awarded Best Supporting Actor at the Los Angeles Film Awards for his role in Monsters Within.
He also took home the Best Actor prize at the Liverpool Indie Awards for Blood Dried Hands.
These accolades were fitting tributes to a man who gave so much to his craft and was only beginning to receive the recognition he deserved.
Behind the scenes, French fought a battle of his own.
The award-winning actor candidly shared one of his final moments on social media. Image Credit: Instagram/Samuel French
In what would become one of his final posts on social media, French shared a candid photo of himself on a hospital bed.
'Getting IV for much-needed hydration,' he wrote in the post, hinting at the health struggles he faced.
According to filmmaker Paul Sinacore, the actor had been struggling with cancer for several years.
Despite the toll the illness took on his body, French continued to pour his heart into his work.
Sinacore and French worked together for the upcoming historical drama Towpath.
'Samuel was a dear friend and an incredible actor,' Sinacore wrote in a tribute for the actor.
'Towpath would not exist without him and the incredible intensity he brought to the role of Det. Bernard Crooke set the tone for the entire film.'
'Together we were on an extraordinary journey, giving everything we had to realise a shared creative vision,' he concluded.
Samuel French is survived by his daughter Madison, his girlfriend Melinda, his parents Gary and Darlene, and his brothers Andy and Danny.
Samuel French's passing should be a reminder of how precious life is and how important it is to cherish every moment.
French's performances will live on, touching the hearts of audiences for years to come.
May they both rest in peace.
