Every Notable Actor from ‘Major League’ Franchise Who Died

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The ‘Major League‘ movies featured a large cast of characters, including players, announcers, team owners, and passionate fans. Sadly, some of the actors who brought those memorable characters to life have passed away. Here’s a brief remembrance of those actors, listing the roles they played and the dates of their deaths.

James Gammon

James Gammon, best known for his role as the tough but lovable manager Lou Brown in the movies ‘Major League’ and ‘Major League II’, passed away on July 16, 2010, at age 70 after battling adrenal and liver cancer. He was a seasoned character actor who had a long and successful career in film and television. Many fans of the ‘Major League’ films fondly remember his memorable line urging the pitchers to throw fastballs.

Margaret Whitton

Margaret Whitton, best known for playing the devious team owner Rachel Phelps in the movie ‘Major League’ and its sequel, passed away on December 4, 2016, at age 67 after a short fight with cancer. In addition to acting, she also worked as a director, producer, and ran her own independent film company. Her performance as Phelps is still remembered as a key villain in the ‘Major League’ films.

Andy Romano

Andy Romano, best known for playing Coach Pepper Leach in the movie ‘Major League’, passed away on September 14, 2022, at the age of 86. Throughout his career, he appeared in many films and TV shows, often in action and crime genres. In ‘Major League’, his steady demeanor as a coach added a lot to the team’s on-screen dynamic.

Charles Cyphers

Charles Cyphers, the actor who played Charlie Donovan in the movie ‘Major League’, passed away on August 4, 2024, at 85 years old after a short illness. He had a long career in film and television and was known for his work with director John Carpenter. In ‘Major League’, he portrayed the general manager stuck between the owner’s demands and the team’s determination to succeed.

Bob Uecker

Bob Uecker, beloved for his role as radio announcer Harry Doyle in the ‘Major League’ movies, passed away on January 16, 2025, at age 90, after a battle with lung cancer. He was a Hall of Fame broadcaster and former baseball player who famously provided the radio voice for the Milwaukee Brewers for over 50 years. His lively commentary in the films created some of the team’s most memorable and often-quoted lines.

Marge Kotlisky

Marge Kotlisky, known for her role as Chaire Holloway in the movie ‘Major League’, was born in Chicago on February 19, 1927, and passed away there on December 2, 1997, after a battle with cancer. She also appeared in films like ‘Thief’ and ‘Sixteen Candles’.

Louis Turenne

Louis Turenne, known for his role as the Distinguished Gentleman in ‘Major League II’, was a Canadian actor born in Montréal on November 26, 1933. He passed away in Los Angeles on July 25, 2006; the details of his death were not made public. He also appeared in films like ‘Hellraiser: Bloodline’, ‘Mystic Pizza’, and ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’.

Ted Manson

Ted Manson, who played the manager in ‘Major League: Back to the Minors’, was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 23, 1926, and passed away in Atlanta on June 1, 2008, after a battle with lung cancer. He also appeared in films like ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, ‘Talladega Nights’, and ‘Runaway Jury’.

J. Don Ferguson

J. Don Ferguson, who played Mick the Umpire in ‘Major League: Back to the Minors’, was born in Knoxville on November 21, 1933, and passed away on October 1, 2008, in Savannah due to leukemia. He also appeared in films like ‘Tank’, ‘Fast Food’, and ‘Maximum Overdrive’.

James Deuter

James Deuter, best known for playing Phil Butler in the movie ‘Major League’, was born in Chicago on March 19, 1939, and passed away there on August 29, 2010. The reason for his death was not made public. He also appeared in films like ‘Payback’ and ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’.

Did we forget any characters from the ‘Major League’ movies? Let us know who we should add and what their role was in the comments, and we’ll make sure this list is complete!

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2025-11-12 05:45