Today, I received some incredibly sad news that has left me heartbroken. Samuel French has passed away after a battle with cancer. The weight of this loss is heavy, not only on those who knew and loved him personally, but also on the many lives he touched through his art and presence.
I had the profound honor of working with Samuel when he took on the role of Joel Sharp in my film Blood Dried Hands. It was a performance that will stay with me forever. Sam didn’t just play Joel—he became him. His dedication, raw talent, and magnetic presence elevated the film and earned him an award-winning performance. But what truly made Sam unforgettable wasn’t just what he brought to the screen; it was who he was off camera. He was gracious, humble, kind, and full of quiet strength—a joy to collaborate with and a friend to everyone on set.
Samuel was a gifted performer, no doubt, but he was also a cherished member of our Texas/Oklahoma film family. That community, bound not just by shared work but by genuine bonds of support and camaraderie, is mourning deeply today. His absence will be profoundly felt at every shoot, every wrap party, every gathering where stories are told and memories are shared.
What makes this loss all the more painful is knowing that Sam’s star was just beginning to rise. In his final years, he had started gaining the recognition he so deeply deserved. One of his most notable achievements was his role in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, where he shared scenes with legends like Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons. Sam’s work in that film, and others, stood as a testament to the depth of his talent and the bright future he was building. The world was finally seeing what we had always known—that Samuel French was something truly special.
There’s an ache that comes with knowing that someone with so much left to give is gone too soon. But amid the grief, I also feel immense gratitude—for having had the chance to work with him, to know him, and to witness his light while it shone here on earth.
Rest easy, Sam. You were one of the greats—not just as an actor, but as a human being. Your legacy lives on in your work, in our hearts, and in every life you touched.
You will be deeply missed.