We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
MIGUEL FERRER, WHO had an acting career spanning four decades and featured in high-profile productions like RoboCop and Twin Peaks has died.
CBS said Ferrer died Thursday of cancer at his Los Angeles home. He was 61.
The prolific actor had most recently brought stern authority to his featured role on CBS hit NCIS: Los Angeles and, before that, to NBC crime drama Crossing Jordan.
He had played assistant director Owen Granger on NCIS: Los Angeles since 2012. Before that, he played the chief medical examiner and gruff-but-supportive boss to series star Jill Hennessy for the six seasons of “Crossing Jordan.”
A native of Santa Monica, California, Ferrer was the son of Academy Award-winning actor Jose Ferrer and singer-actress Rosemary Clooney, and a cousin of George Clooney, who issued a statement yesterday afternoon.
“Today, history will mark giant changes in our world,” Clooney said, “and lost to most will be that on the same day Miguel Ferrer lost his battle to throat cancer.
But not lost to his family. Miguel made the world brighter and funnier and his passing is felt so deeply in our family that events of the day… pale in comparison. We love you Miguel. We always will.
In his own statement, NCIS: Los Angeles showrunner R Scott Gemmill called Ferrer “a man of tremendous talent who had a powerful dramatic presence onscreen, a wicked sense of humor and a huge heart.”
Ferrer began his career in the early 1980s with guest shots on many TV series. In 1990 he scored a signature role as FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield on David Lynch’s smash series Twin Peaks. He reprised that character for the 1992 movie Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
He is set to feature once again as Agent Rosenfield for Showtime’s Twin Peaks revival airing this spring.
Along with TV, Ferrer appeared in more than 40 movies, including RoboCop, where he played the villainous Bob Morton, designer of the title character, Iron Man 3, where he portrayed the vice president, and Traffic.
Voiceover credits include Superman: The Animated Series, Robot Chicken and American Dad!
Before becoming an actor, he was a successful studio musician who played drums in a variety of bands, and toured with his mother and Bing Crosby.
Survivors include his wife Lori and sons Lukas and Rafi, in addition to brothers Gabriel and Rafael and sisters Maria and Monsita, and sister-in-law and singer Debby Boone.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
One of the most underrated actors ever , robocop was where I first came across him but his turn in twin peaks showed how good he was , Rip miguel
Loved him in Hot Shots Part Deux and that classic line reading of “War. It’s fantastic!” How he made that absurd line funny is a testament to his talent
That’s exactly the line I thought about. Before I clicked. Back then parody movies were actually funny.
@Matt F: Always the first scene that springs to mind any time I see him.
@Matt F: Love that. For me its him in Twin Peaks taking about the local sheriff: “Aw, look. It’s trying to think”
“Hey now rainy face. Who’s my big bad GI Joe, huh?” * sobbing* “I am!”
Thank you, Topper. I can kill again, you’ve given me another reason to live.
Trying to decide if he was in millers crossing?
I’m sad to see this, he was a great actor, I loved him in Crossing Jordan.
Robocop’s Da!
Poor Bob Morton….. Dick was never going to let him away with his arrogance.
RIP
Bob Morton made a mistake.
I’m cashing you out, Bob.
Ahh…that guy!
Sad to hear, wonder if he’ll reappear in Twin Peaks, one of the funniest characters.
He is going to be in the new series. As stated above.
Very talented family, great actor. RIP
Loved him in Twin Peaks – he was hilarious.
Was he really that villainous in Robocop? I know he liked a bit of blow and a bit of humpty dumpty with two ladies at a time but I would’ve thought Dick Byrne and Clarence Boddicker were the real villains of the movie? RIP great actor.
Dick Jones! But I totally agree with you!
Had just start to warm to him in NCIS over that last series or two. RIP
Loved him in twin peaks taking the piss out of the small town folks. Legend RIP
Loved him in ncis la so sad x
He was in an episode of that RTE documentary about local newspapers as he was staying in some Ballygobackwards place. It was like the Queen was visiting.
I was Scarlett for them, he’s a highly respected actor in his own right and the only angle they were interested in was the fact he was George Clooney’cousin !
I had to kill bob morton because he made a mistake
Now it time to erase that mistake.
“war, it’s fantastic”
He was visibly ill in this season for NCIS: LA – his speach was certainly suffering – fair play to him for keeping fighting it to the end. RIP.
have your say