Chainsaw Massacre Leatherface Gunnar Hansen Dies

Gunnar Hansen, the actor best known for playing the Leatherface, in the original, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, has died. He was 68.

Hansen’s agent said the cause of death was pancreatic cancer. He died at his home in Maine.

Hansen was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, but moved to America with his family at the age of 5. He studied at the University of Texas in Austin, where Hooper and his Texas Chainsaw Massacre co writer Kim Henkel were based. Hansen secured the role of Leatherface after, literally, filling the door with his tall, imposing physique when he met about the part. h/t ew

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gunnar’s family and friends at this difficult time.