Kevin Bacon Recalls Fond Memories With Late Tremors Co-Star Fred Ward: “I Couldn’t Have Asked For A Better Partner

Kevin Bacon has paid a touching tribute to his late Tremors co-star Fred Ward.

Following the news of Ward's passing at the age of 79, Bacon has shared his fond memories of working with the late character actor on the 1990 cult classic. 

Bacon, 63, tweeted: “So sad to hear about Fred Ward. When it came to battling underground worms, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.

“I will always remember chatting about his love of Django Reinhardt and jazz guitar during our long, hot days in the high desert. Rest In Peace, Fred.”

Bacon and Ward played handymen Valentine and Earl, respectively, who battle giant carnivorous sandworms threatening the small town of Perfection, Nevada, in the 1990 creature feature. Ward reprised the role in the 1996 sequel, Tremors II: Aftershocks. In 2018, Bacon starred in the Blumhouse-produced reboot Tremors, but the TV pilot didn't get picked up. 

Ward's publicist Ron Hoffman confirmed the sad news of his client's passing on May 8, but did not disclose a cause of death.

He said: "It was Fred Ward's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of donations to the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center.”

After being born and raised in San Diego, Ward — who worked in Hollywood for more than four decades — served in the US Air Force for three years and worked as a lumberjack in Alaska and other odd jobs before breaking into acting.

After working in television, he got his big break with the 1974 movie Ginger in the Morning, before going on to appear in shows such as Quincy, M.E, and The Incredible Hulk.

Ward's other credits include The Right Stuff, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Henry and June, and more recently True Detective. In 1994, he alongside the cast of Robert Altman's Short Cuts received a Special Award at the Golden Globes. 

Ward is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marie-France Ward, and his son Django Ward, from a previous relationship.— BANG SHOWBIZ

Photos: TPG News/Click Photos