Actor Dennis Letts Dies at 73

Dennis Letts, who played the role of patriarch Beverly Weston in the current production of his son Tracy Letts’ play, August: Osage County both in Chicago and on Broadway, died of cancer on Friday, February 22. He was 73.

Letts appeared in more than 40 television shows and movies, including Littleboy Blue, Infamous, Secondhand Lions, and Where the Heart Is, based on a novel written by his wife. His theater work included Dead Presidents Club and Sonny’s Last Shot. In addition, Letts worked as a university English professor for 30 years, primarily at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

He is survived by his wife Billie, sons Tracy, Dana, and Shawn, and brother, Ray.