Young and the Restless star Wings Hauser died on Saturday, March 15. He was 78.
Wings’ wife, Cali Lili Hauser, announced his death via social media on Thursday, March 20, writing, “Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film & music partner, Cali Lili Hauser, at their studio this weekend.”
She sang his praises, adding, “Wings Hauser’s one of a kind, legendary career spanned 58 years in movies, tv & music working alongside many of the greatest artists in the industry and earning their respect.”
The former Vice Squad star passed away in Los Angeles on Saturday from natural causes, Cali told Variety.
Wings (full name Gerald Dwight Hauser) was born into the Hollywood lifestyle thanks to his father, Dwight A. Hauser, who was an Academy Award winning writer, director and producer. While Wings’ brother, Erich Hauser, briefly acted in the ‘90s, he was the one who pursued the career.
Wings is best known for roles on The Last Precinct, Lightning Force, several episodes of Roseanne, Murder, She Wrote and Beverly Hills, 90210. He played Greg Foster on The Young and the Restless in 1977 before returning in 2010.
His biggest film credits include playing Ramrod in 1982’s Vice Squad and appearing in Tough Guys Don’t Dance and The Insider.
Wings’ son, Cole Hauser, has followed in his footsteps, starring on Yellowstone as Rip Wheeler.
The late actor is survived by his son, whom he shares with ex Cass Warner, his daughter, Bright Hauser, whom she shares with first wife, Jane Boltinhouse, and his wife, Cali, whom he wed in 2012.
Following his death, Cali said she planned to “continue” their work and honor his “legacy.”
“Wings asks movie and music lovers in lieu of flowers or cards that they please show ongoing support for current and future projects by the award winning sustainable indie film and music studio, a sea-life and butterfly sanctuary hand-built by the Hausers (Cali Lili Indies),” Cali wrote via Instagram, asking that her husband’s fans also support their “social [and] environmental justice themed films and songs, as well as monarch butterflies and the source of both title and title track for an upcoming feature length documentary produced by La-La Land Entertainment.”
