Character Actor David Huddleston Dead At 85

Beloved character actor David Huddleston is dead at the age of 85 — putting an end to one of Hollywood's busiest careers! The veteran performer found a new generation of fans for his role opposite Jeff Bridges in 1998's "The Big Lebowksi" — which bombed in theaters before being rediscovered as a modern classic. Huddleston was also a familiar face for his work in movies like "Blazing Saddles" and his role as Kevin Arnold's grandfather in "The Wonder Years." The ENQUIRER also once had to put a stop to rumors that David was in a serious romance with Joan Collins!

The confusion began when David got a rare starring turn in the title role of 1985's "Santa Claus: The Movie" — where his sudden fame had a London newspaper reporting that he was about to marry the "Dynasty" diva! Reporters had actually confused the portly David with art dealer Robin Hurlstone.

That didn't stop the story from spreading across the Atlantic! "I've never even met the man," a baffled Joan (seen with Robin in 2008) insisted in an ENQUIRER article.  David's longtime wife and partner Sarah Koeppe couldn't complain too much, though. She was the casting director who'd landed him the role in "Santa Claus."

That didn't stop the story from spreading across the Atlantic! "I've never even met the man," a baffled Joan (seen with Robin in 2008) insisted in an ENQUIRER article.  David's longtime wife and partner Sarah Koeppe couldn't complain too much, though. She was the casting director who'd landed him the role in "Santa Claus."

Sarah spoke to reporters after David died on August 2, 2016, of advanced heart and kidney disease in Santa Fe, N.M. She looked back at how "The Big Lebowski" gave David a lot of unlikely fame, recalling his encounter with fans while once visiting Turkey: "They recognized him as the Big Lebowski — even though they couldn't speak any English!"