Gunnar Hansen, known for his portrayal of the horrifying Leatherface in the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was announced dead last Sunday at the age of 68 years old.
According to the Washington Times, the Icelandic-born actor's reported cause of death was due to complications brought about by pancreatic cancer.
As noted by The Independent, Hansen's agent said that the actor died at his home in Main, where he lived for over 40 years.
The 6-foot-four talent was a working actor when the director of the popular horror franchise Tobe Hooper and his crew came to Texas to shoot their low-budget film.
He auditioned for the part of Leatherface just after finishing graduate school after he heard it was being filmed in Austin. Mr. Hansen then successfully secured the role of the dim-witted but extremely brutal killer Leatherface, who lives in a run-down home with several of his insane relatives.
And although his on-screen persona is absolutely terrifying, he once said in a TV interview that he was so unlike the character that when people who met him learned that he played the sadistic serial killer, they often reacted in shock.
Despite the controversy generated by the of nature the film, it proved to be a success as it spawned several sequels and a remake, but according to reports, Hansen declined to participate in any of them
All in all, Hansen appeared in 28 films, worked as a magazine editor and even wrote several screenplays, books and documentaries.
Apart from his infamous role as Leatherface, Hansen also had a role in the comedy-horror movie, "Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers," as well as a bank-robber in the science fiction film, "Mosquito." It's interesting to note that all of his films involved the use of chainsaws.
During the time of his death, he was working on a film called "Death House," in which he served as a writer and producer.
According to Stuff, the cinema-focused site Internet Movie Database said that the movie is about how a secret government facility becomes ground zero for the most horrific prison break in history, with the film due for a release next year.
Among his other notable works is the 2013 book "Chain Saw Confidential," which gave readers a behind-the-scenes look at how the infamous film was made.
Hansen was born in Reykjavik, Iceland and went to the United States to study at the University of Texas, where he majored in English and Scandinavian studies.
He is survived by his partner of 13 years, Betty Tower.
