Character actor Geoffrey Lewis dies at 79

Geoffrey Lewis, whose sparkling blue eyes and winning smile graced dozens of screens throughout his career, has died. He was 79.

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter say the father of actress Juliette Lewis and nine other children died Tuesday in Woodland Hills, Calif. No other information was immediately available.

Juliette paid tribute to her dad with a photo on Instagram.

And so did her brother, Lightfield Lewis.

Lewis, a Scientologist, appeared in many Westerns, and had a long relationship with Clint Eastwood, appearing in films of his over several decades, including High Plains Drifter, Pink Cadillac, Bronco Billy and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

He did stints on TV shows including Hawaii Five-0, Murder, She Wrote, Matlock and The A-Team.

Born in San Diego, Lewis grew up in Rhode Island, before moving to California at age 10. He is survived by second wife Paula Hochhalter and his 10 kids, including Juliette, Lightfield and actress Deirdre Lewis.

Jean-Claude Van Damme was among those remembering Lewis on Facebook.

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