Rio Hackford, Helen Mirren Jim Smeal/Shutterstock
Rio Hackford, son of director Taylor HackfordStepson and stepfather of Helen MirrenAfter a long battle with an unspecified illness, he died at 51.
The late star’s brother, Alex Hackford, confirmed the news on Friday, April 15. Rio died in Huntington Beach (California) one day earlier. His wife is his survivor. Libby GraceThey have two children together.
The Los Angeles native actor starred in many films, including Trumbo Jonah HexTelevision series American Crime Story. Rio played a small part in 2010. Love RanchHe directed the film starring his stepmother, 76, and his father, 77.
Rio was seen alongside earlier this year. Sebastian Stan Lily James on Hulu’s Pam & Tommy. One of his most notable credits was providing motion capture to the droid IG-11. Taika WaititiIn The Mandalorian.
Rio is Taylor’s only child with Georgie LowresHe divorced his wife in 1972. The Oscar nominee shares Alex and his ex-wife Lynne LittmanHe was married to her from 1977 to 1987. The RayDirector has been married to Mirren for over a decade.
In addition to acting in various film and TV roles over the years, Rio was also the proprietor of several successful bars in New Orleans: One Eyed Jacks, El Matador and Pal’s Lounge. He also owned a bar called Homestead San Francisco and renovated The Monty Los Angeles.
Rio’s friend D.V. DeVicentisIn a touching Instagram post, the producer paid tribute to the actor. “Rio was more attuned to experience than anyone I’ve ever known,” the producer wrote on Thursday, April 14. “He would stop what was happening to point it out, compel you to pay attention.”
The screenwriter also highlighted Rio’s love for film and music. “He would put an experience for you on the stereo, then start it over and play it again for you because we were talking over it the first time and ‘Pal, you really have to listen to it,’” DeVicentis wrote. “Not simply obsessed with movies and how they mirrored and compelled, he was something more: a superfan of enumerable scenes, of particular gestures of unsung actors, weird career turns, roaring comebacks, cinema swan songs — all real experiences for you, when beheld consciously.”
DeVicentis’ post garnered many stunned and moving reactions from friends and colleagues who also knew him. “I was so sad to hear about Rio passing,” Robin TunneyYou can leave your comments in the section below. “He was too nice to be that handsome. Too cool to be relatable. My [God]That man was special. RIP Rio.”
Lake BellHe directed two episodes of Pam & Tommy, added, “This is a massive loss.”
