Actor Stacy Keach dies at 85 in Poland

Stacy Keach, an actor whose career spanned film, television and stage, died on Tuesday in Magdalenka, Poland, at the age of 85. His wife, Małgosia Tomassi, told Variety that he passed away after a prolonged struggle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.

Keach remained active into his eighties, appearing in recent projects such as "The Bourne Legacy," "Nebraska," "Two and a Half Men," "Ray Donovan" and a voice role on "The Simpsons." He also played Cardinal Kevin Kearns on "Blue Bloods" and had a recurring part in "Man With a Plan" and "The Black List." His final screen appearance was in the 2025 film "Jay Kelly," where he portrayed the title character's father.

Among his earlier achievements, Keach earned a Tony nomination for the 1969 Broadway production "Indians" and won a Helen Hayes award in 2010 for his performance as King Lear with the Shakespeare Theatre Company. He gained widespread recognition as private detective Mike Hammer in the CBS series that ran from 1984 to 1987 and later in related TV movies and syndication.

In 1984, Keach was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport for cocaine possession and served six months in Reading Prison. He later described that period as the low point of his life and said a friendship with a priest during his incarceration led to his conversion to Roman Catholicism.

Keach received an Emmy nomination in 1988 for his lead role in the miniseries "Ernest Hemingway." He also narrated the CNBC series "American Greed" and appeared in a range of other television shows, including "ER," "Titus," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

He is survived by his fourth wife, Malgosia Tomassi, a son, Shannon, a daughter, Karolina, and his brother, director James Keach.