Iconic ‘Bucket of Blood’ star Dick Miller dies at 90

Veteran Hollywood actor Dick Miller passed away from natural causes on Wednesday. The star died in Toluca Lake while surrounded by his loved ones.

Miller had an acting career that lasted for six decades. The late star, who was 90-years-old when he passed, had more than 175 movie credits and 2,000 TV appearances.

Dick Miller was known as the star of Roger Corman's 1959 cult classic “A Bucket of Blood.” He also appeared as Murray Futterman in Joe Dante's “Gremlins.”

A family spokesperson revealed that the iconic actor had died a month after his 90th birthday party. On his deathbed, he was surrounded by his wife Lainie, daughter Barbara, and grand-daughter Autumn who have also survived him.

In a statement, his family said: "His sense of humor and the unique way he looked at the world won him many lifelong friends and worldwide fans.” Miller was born on December 25, 1928, in the Bronx.

He served a tour of duty in the US Navy, before attending the City College of New York and Columbia University. His acting career began when he had performances on Broadway while working at the Bellevue Hospital Mental Hygiene Clinic and the psychiatric department of Queens General Hospital.

He moved to California in 1952 and three years later he starred in one of his earliest acting roles in “Apache Woman.” In 1959, he appeared as Walter Paisley in “A Bucket of Blood.”

Miller has also appeared in “The Little Shop of Horrors,” “The Terror,” “The Wild Angels,” “The Dirty Dozen,” and “A Time for Killing.” In 2014, he was the subject of a documentary.

The actor has worked with well-known directors such as James Cameron, Ernest Dickerson, Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Allan Arkush, Jonathan Kaplan, and John Sayles. He has also acted in “Explorer and The Howling.”

On television, he appeared on “Fame,” as Lou Mackie. His memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date.

The star also featured in every film that was directed by Dante. Miller was the son of the son of two Russian Jewish immigrants.