Bruce Glover, a seasoned actor known for his roles in “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Chinatown,” passed away at 92. A representative for his son, actor Crispin Glover, confirmed that he died of natural causes on March 12, 2025.
The news was shared by Crispin, 60, on Instagram on March 29, with a tribute stating, “Bruce Herbert Glover May 2, 1932 – March 12, 2025,” accompanied by photographs depicting his father’s life and career.
The images included Bruce in his early years in the army, a still from the 1974 film “Chinatown,” a photo from the Los Angeles, California premiere of “American Gods,” and a family portrait with his wife Betty and Crispin as a child. Betty passed away in 2016.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 2, 1932, Bruce Glover initially considered careers in painting and athletics, playing football at Carl Schurz High School. He began performing while studying art at Wright Junior College when asked to wear a nearly 220-pound gorilla suit for a classmate’s strip act.
His acting career was interrupted by his draft into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving from 1953 to 1955. Returning to acting, he appeared on Broadway with Bette Davis in “The Night of the Iguana” in 1961 and with Anne Bancroft in “Mother Courage and Her Children” in 1963.
Glover’s film career gained momentum in the 1970s, notably playing the assassin Mr. Wint in “Diamonds Are Forever” (1971) with Sean Connery. His portrayal of the character, alongside Putter Smith’s Mr. Kidd, became iconic in the Bond series.
In 1974, he portrayed Duffy in Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown,” opposite Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. His other notable roles include Deputy Grady Coker in “Walking Tall” (1973) and its sequels, and a debt collector in “Hard Times” (1975).
Glover’s career included over 100 film and TV roles. His TV appearances spanned popular series like “Perry Mason,” “Gunsmoke,” “Mission: Impossible,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “CHiPs,” and “The Streets of San Francisco.” Later, he appeared in “Ghost World” (2001) as Feldman.
Without formal acting training, Glover taught acting in Los Angeles, California, passionate about helping others develop their skills. He continued acting into his later years, with his final role in the Polish film “Influence” in 2015.
Following his passing, tributes came from colleagues. Jewels McCullough, who acted with Glover in “Big Bad Mama II” (1987), described him as a “Great Actor, good Man” on Facebook. Donald Farmer, a director and screenwriter, praised him as “a tremendous actor and a wonderful acting teacher.”
In a 2019 interview for The Original Van Gogh’s Ear Anthology, Glover shared an incident of nearly hitting a cow with his motorcycle. Despite the danger, he found humor in the situation, reflecting his philosophy: “So live it till the end and laugh when you can.”
Glover’s career highlighted his adaptability as a character actor, excelling in roles that combined menace with charisma. From theater to film and television, he left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.
He is survived by his sons, actor Crispin Glover, and Michael Leigh Glover.
