Cole Hauser's Dad and 'Vice Squad' Actor, Wings Hauser, Dies – Details

Hollywood has lost another legendary talent. Known for his gritty on-screen presence and fearless performances, Wings Hauser built a decades-long career that left a lasting mark on film and television.

Gerald "Wings" Hauser, the veteran actor known for his intense performances in "Vice Squad," "Jo Jo Dancer," "Your Life Is Calling," and "Tough Guys Don't Dance," has passed away at the age of 77. Wings is survived by his wife, Cali, and his two children, Bright and Cole Hauser.

He died at his home in Santa Monica on Saturday, March 15, 2025, after a prolonged battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), his daughter, Bright Hauser, confirmed. In his final days, the actor had been relying on an oxygen tank.

Born in Hollywood, Wings' career spanned nearly six decades. He worked alongside some of the most respected names in the industry and earned recognition for his portrayal of raw and complex characters.

His roles ranged from tough anti-heroes to menacing villains, making him recognizable in the entertainment world.

Bright paid tribute to her father in a heartfelt Facebook post, describing him as "a force of nature, a storyteller, and an artist who left an indelible mark on the screen and in our hearts."

She highlighted his ability to bring characters to life, noting that he played roles that were "raw, complex, and unforgettable." Whether as a villain, an anti-hero, or a source of wisdom, he always delivered performances filled with "energy, edge, and charisma."

Beyond his on-screen presence, Bright reflected on his personal qualities, stating, "Wings was a friend, a mentor, a dreamer, and above all, a man who loved deeply." She emphasized his "rebellious spirit" and how he lived with "intensity, passion, and an undeniable presence."

She added, "His legacy is one of fearless creativity, of an artist who never shied away from taking risks, and of a man who gave everything to his craft."

Wings' fearless performances, rebellious spirit, and passion for storytelling earned him a devoted following. Bright's tribute summed up the impact he left behind, "Today, we don't just mourn his passing; we celebrate the extraordinary life he lived. We remember his laughter, his passion, and the countless performances that will keep his spirit alive for generations to come. Dad, your journey here may have ended, but your presence will never fade. Rest easy, and may your next adventure be just as bold as the life you led."

Wings' wife and creative partner, Cali Lili Hauser, also shared a heartfelt tribute. In an Instagram post, she revealed that he passed away in her arms at their studio.

She described him as a proud Academy member and the son of Oscar-winning filmmaker Dwight A. Hauser and Geraldine T. Hauser. Cali emphasized that his "one of a kind, legendary career" would continue through his upcoming projects and the work they built together.

In a statement to Variety, she reflected on their relationship, "We were children together, we played life every day, played music and wrote songs together every day in preparation for several upcoming albums, books, and a new movie."

Cali explained that their creative partnership was central to their relationship. "He said that I was his future, and even though I am a feminist, I found my perfect partner in this man and was happy/proud to be building something together," she said.

She acknowledged the difficulty of continuing without him but vowed to continue his legacy. "Of course it's much harder now, but I'm going to fulfill his wishes that I 'continue the work' and fulfill all the projects we set up to do in the next few years."

Instead of sending flowers or cards, Wings wished for fans to support their indie film and music studio, Cali Lili Indies. The couple hand-built the studio as a sanctuary for sea life and monarch butterflies, and it is dedicated to social and environmental justice-themed projects.

An upcoming feature documentary, "Wings Hauser: Working Class Actor," produced by La-La Land Entertainment, is set to celebrate his life and career.

Wings' fearless performances, rebellious spirit, and passion for storytelling earned him a devoted following. His career was built on perseverance — arriving in Hollywood "with thirty dollars and a box of Pampers," he raised a child as a single father and worked tirelessly to establish himself as an actor.

His performances, often compared to those of Richard Widmark, ranged from menacing villains to layered protagonists.

A former athlete who once played football as a wingback — where he earned the nickname "Wings" — he chose to follow his artistic calling, pursuing both acting and music.

His legacy includes an album of original music recorded for RCA, a career filled with powerful film and television roles, and an enduring impact on the industry.

In an interview from October 2021, Cole revealed that he only discovered who his father was when he was around nine or ten years old.

"I saw him on TV, and I didn't know he was my dad," Cole recalled. "I waited for the finish of the film, and I saw 'Wings Hauser' [in the credits]. So, I went into my mom's room, and I said, 'Hey mom. I just saw a guy on TV, his name's Wings Hauser.' And she looked at me and went: 'Wow!'"

His mother then explained his father's identity to him. At around 12 years old, Cole learned more about his father's career when his mom revealed that Wings had built a life in Hollywood as a working actor.

Encouraged by her, Cole moved to Los Angeles to live with Wings and be closer to the studios. However, upon arriving, he discovered that his father was struggling with alcohol and drug addictions at the time.

Unable to stay with him, Cole chose to live alone on an old PT boat docked in Marina del Rey while continuing to pursue acting. Despite the challenges, he looked back on that period positively, once saying, "That was an awesome time, because it meant freedom."

Over the years, their relationship evolved. Cole later shared that Wings was a fan of his work in "Yellowstone." "Absolutely. Yeah, he's a huge fan of the show, and is obviously very proud of what I've done in it. He's an old cowboy, after all. Our family, the Hauser side of the family, are all Montanans. So, it's very close to him," he noted.

In addition to their bond, Wings offered Cole valuable advice about navigating Hollywood. Speaking to People at the November premiere for season 5 of "Yellowstone," Cole divulged, "Oh god, yeah. I mean, I think his advice was, you know, persist until you succeed. Yeah, you know you're gonna get knocked down in this business. You're gonna be told 'no' a lot, but just keep following your dreams."

Much like his father, Cole carved his own path in Hollywood, taking on rugged, intense roles that showcase his deep commitment to the craft.

Best known for playing Rip Wheeler in "Yellowstone," he has earned a reputation for portraying tough, no-nonsense characters — just like Wings Hauser did throughout his career.

However, in November 2024, Cole shocked fans with a surprising revelation about his real-life appearance. A newly surfaced video showed him with his natural ginger hair, a stark contrast to Rip's signature dark locks.

The transformation quickly went viral, sparking intense reactions online as fans realized that the brooding cowboy they had come to know on-screen looked quite different in real life.

Fans quickly took to social media to share their thoughts, with opinions split down the middle. Many Instagram followers made it clear they preferred Cole's darker, rugged look.

Comments ranged from, "Looks better with black hair," to "Would not have recognized him without his beard and hair dyed black."

Others added similar sentiments, saying"I like him better with the dark hair." Despite this, not everyone was critical. A handful of fans praised his natural appearance.

One commenter gushed, "So much sexier as a ginger!" while another excitedly remarked, "There's the ginger I know and love."

A fan was astonished by the drastic transformation, saying, "Yellowstone is literally on my TV right now, and I still didn't know who this was until I read the comments. That color change on the hair really did do its acting job."

On Facebook, the debate continued, with many people echoing the preference for the dark-haired look. "Looks better with darker hair," wrote one commenter, while another added, "He needs brown hair back immediately."

Another netizen confessed, "I'd never have known that was him." One were simply surprised by the change remarking, "Back to being a natural red head, it always freaked me out with him as brunette on 'Yellowstone.' [sic]"

The rugged look Cole adopted for "Yellowstone" is no accident. Since he is a redhead like Kelly Reilly, his character is defined by his dark hair and beard, a choice made to distinguish him from Reilly, who portrayed Beth Dutton.

The actor also underwent extensive physical preparation for his "Yellowstone" role. In interviews, Cole described how he spent grueling hours at cowboy camp, mastering essential skills like riding and roping.

"I just rode every day all day long until my legs are about to fall off, and that just gets you strong," he said. "You eat what cowboys eat, which is rice, beans, and steak, and your body just ends up changing into something that it wasn't before."

Cole credited the intense training regimen for helping him embody the character fully, noting that the experience helped him get his head "right" for the demanding role.

Cole's appearance as Rip became so iconic that it wasn't surprising how a simple change in hair color sparked such strong reactions. The transformation left some fans longing for his signature dark look, while others embraced his return to his natural roots.

Either way, the lively debate reflected just how deeply his portrayal of Rip ended up resonating with audiences.