The face that launched James Cameron’s TITANIC and rilled the troops in ALIENS passes away at the age of 61 from complications during surgery.

Even as Tinsel Town prepares to take their annual walk down the red carpet at this year’s Oscars award show, many will be mourning the passing of Bill Baxton. The actor known for his subtle ingenuity at playing the “everyman” passed away from complications during surgery. His family has released a statement requesting respect for the family in this time of grieving. Bill Paxton has had a career in entertainment that has spanned four decades.

Paxton became most known for his starring roles in James Cameron’s Aliens as one of the Marines ready to take down the xenomorph infestation of a terraforming colony, and as a dedicated explorer in Titanic. Paxton also appeared in pivotal roles in Apollo 13, Twister and worked again with Cameron in True Lies. Most recently he appeared in a recurring role on Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD and was on the CBS series Training Day.