Pretty gutted by this news, to be honest, and celebrity deaths rarely hit with me, but man, I've been a fan of Rutger Hauer for what feels like pretty much my whole life. And will remain being so for whatever is left of it, too, I'd imagine.
Everyone will praise his performance in Blade Runner, and rightfully so, but he gave so many fantastic performances that will always live on in my memory - Flesh + Blood, The Hitcher, Soldier of Orange (Soldaat van Oranje), Nighthawks, Turkish Delight (Turks Fruit), Ladyhawke, Salute of the Jugger (Blood of Heroes), Blind Fury, Legend of the Holy Drinker, and Sin City. Even in his slightly lesser films like Wanted Dead or Alive, Wedlock, Split Second, The Osterman Weekend, Surviving the Game, Eureka, Hobo with a Shotgun, and the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or smaller parts like The Wilby Conspiracy, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Knockin' on Heaven's Door, Valerian, and Batman Begins, Hauer was always great fun to watch.
Like many of his contemporaries, he spent way too much time trapped in dtv hell during the latter years of his career, after Hollywood seemingly forgot he existed, a great many of which frankly weren't worthy of his considerable talents, but everyone's gotta pay the bills, so can't begrudge him continuing to do the job that he loved, even when the material was, too often, not worthy of him or his talents. Still, there were a few fun flicks in there if you dug far enough, and he had some nice tv guest roles over those latter years, too, many of which were a joy to watch.
But it's the above listed films that I'll be revisiting most often in the years to come, continuing to enjoy the performances where he was given something real to sink his teeth into, and delivered the goods every damn time. Rest in peace Rutger Hauer, you will be remembered.