Scott L. Schwartz, beloved actor and pro wrestler, passes away at 65

The wrestler-turned-actor Scott L. Schwartz, who played Bruiser in the Ocean's Eleven movie series, passed away. He was 65.

According to his wife Misty, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Schwartz passed away on November 26 at his Covington, Louisiana, home from congestive heart failure.

In the 2001 original Ocean's Eleven movie, Schwartz played Bruiser, a guy who feigned beating up George Clooney's Dany Ocean in private. Schwartz played the part again in Ocean's 12 (2004) and Ocean's 13 (2007).

“I’m sorry to hear that Scott is gone,” George Clooney said in a statement. “We did three films together and I’ve never been so gently punched. He was a gentle soul and he will be dearly missed.”

Schwartz's TV credits include Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Martial Law, Angel, Nash Bridges, Castle, The Mentalist, The Young and the Restless, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

He also appeared in the movie Fun with Dick and Jane, Starsky and Hutch, and The Scorpion King.

Scott L. Schwartz was born March 16, 1959, in Philadelphia. He began his career as a pro wrestler under the titles The Israeli Commando and Giant David before moving to Hollywood as a stunt performer and actor.

His wife stated that he enjoyed his time on TV and in the ring, but was "most proud of his charity work," which included receiving the Glass Slipper Award from CHOC, a children's healthcare foundation. David Beckham and Gwen Stefani are also among the honourees.

“Most people associate Scott with the movies, but those who know him personally associated him with being a jolly person, so full of life, a strong loving person, foodie and travel aficionado,” Misty wrote, adding that he “truly loved life and everyone that he met along the way.”