John Phillip Law was a handsome and versatile actor who starred in many films and TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s. He is best remembered for his roles as the blind angel Pygar in the sci-fi cult classic Barbarella (1968) with Jane Fonda, and as the Russian sailor Alexei Kolchin in the comedy The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming (1966) with Alan Arkin. He also played the Red Baron in The Red Baron (1971), and the title character in the comic book adaptation Danger: Diabolik (1968). Law had a distinctive look and charisma that made him a popular leading man in Hollywood and abroad. But how did he die, and what was his cause of death?
Early Life and Career
Law was born on September 7, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, to a police officer father and an actress mother. He had a brother, Tom Law, who also became an actor. Law started his acting career as a child, appearing as an extra in some films. He later studied psychology at the University of Hawaii, where he also performed in several stage productions. He then moved to New York, where he joined the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center, working with directors like Elia Kazan and Faye Dunaway.
Law made his film debut in Italy, starring in two anthology films: High Infidelity (1964) and 3 Nights of Love (1964). He caught the attention of director Norman Jewison, who cast him as the romantic Russian sailor in The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. The film was a hit and earned four Oscar nominations, including one for Arkin. Law’s performance was praised by critics and audiences alike, and he became a rising star.
Stardom and Decline
Law’s next big role was as Pygar, the winged angel who helps Barbarella (Fonda) in her intergalactic adventures. The film, directed by Fonda’s then-husband Roger Vadim, was a campy and erotic sci-fi fantasy that became a cult favorite over the years. Law’s physical appearance and gentle demeanor made him a perfect fit for the role. He later said that he enjoyed playing “far-out things” that allowed him to express his creativity.
Law continued to work in various genres and countries, starring in films like Hurry Sundown (1967), a drama about race relations in the South; Death Rides a Horse (1967), a spaghetti western with Lee Van Cleef; Skidoo (1968), a psychedelic comedy with Groucho Marx; The Love Machine (1971), a soap opera adaptation with Dyan Cannon; and Von Richthofen and Brown (1971), a biopic of the German flying ace.
However, Law’s career began to decline in the 1970s, as he appeared in less successful and memorable films. He also had some personal problems, such as divorcing his first wife Shawn Ryan, with whom he had a daughter named Dawn. He later married another actress, Barbara Valentin, but they also separated.
Final Years and Death
Law never stopped acting, though he mostly worked in low-budget and obscure films and TV shows. He also did some voice-over work for animated films and video games. He remained active until his death in 2008.
Law died on May 13, 2008, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 70 years old. According to The Celebrity Deaths website, his cause of death was pancreatic cancer. He had been diagnosed with the disease on December 13, 2007. His former wife Shawn Ryan confirmed his death to the Los Angeles Times.
Law’s death was mourned by his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented and charming actor who brought joy to many people. His films are still enjoyed by generations of viewers who appreciate his unique style and presence.
John Phillip Law was one of the stars of the 1960s cinema who left a lasting impression on the screen. His cause of death was tragic, but his legacy lives on through his work.
