Kevyn Major Howard (January 27, 1956 – February 14, 2025) was a Canadian actor and photographer, best known for his role as Private First Class "Rafterman" in Stanley Kubrick's war film Full Metal Jacket (1987).
Kevyn Major Howard | |
|---|---|
 Howard in 2014 | |
| Born | January 27, 1956 |
| Died | February 14, 2025 (aged 69) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, photographer |
| Years active | 1980–1999 |
Life and career
editHoward was born in Montreal, Canada on January 27, 1956.[1] After acting in high school, Howard moved to Los Angeles and Hollywood in the late 1970s.[1] His headshot was delivered to Paramount Pictures and, shortly thereafter, he was called in and booked for his first major film role, in Serial, starring Martin Mull. This was followed by his first television appearance in an episode of Trapper John, M.D..[2] In 1982, Howard appeared as Stomper in Death Wish II and later as Hawkins in Clint Eastwood's 1983 film Sudden Impact, notably making him the only actor to be in both Death Wish and Dirty Harry film series.[3][4] In 1987, Howard appeared in his most notable role, the combat photographer "Rafterman" in the Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket directed by Stanley Kubrick.[5] The following year, Howard made an appearance in the episode "Line of Fire" of the cult TV series Miami Vice.[6] Howard retired from acting in 1999, his final acting credit being in an episode of Crusade.[7]
In the BBC show The Human Face, Howard is touted as the "King of the Hollywood headshot" as he became a leading headshot photographer after his retirement from acting.[5][3]
Howard died in Las Vegas on February 14, 2025, at the age of 69. He had been hospitalized for weeks with respiratory issues.[1][7]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Trapper John, M.D. | Tony | 1 episode: S1.E14 | [2] |
| 1981 | CHiPs | Ted McLeish | 1 episode: S5.E4 | [6] |
| 1982 | Death Wish II | 'Stomper' | [4] | |
| 1983 | T.J. Hooker | J.D. | 1 episode: S2.E12 | [6] |
| Cagney & Lacey | Weaver | 1 episode: S2.E22 | [3] | |
| Scarface | Extra | Uncredited | [6] | |
| Sudden Impact | Hawkins | [3] | ||
| 1984 | The A-Team | Marcus | 1 episode: S2.E20 | [6] |
| 1986 | MacGyver | Sonny | 1 episode: S2.E6 | [3] |
| 1987 | Magnum, P.I. | Kenneth Geiger | 1 episode: S7.E17 | [3] |
| Full Metal Jacket | Private First Class 'Rafterman' | [1] | ||
| 1988 | War Party | Calvin Morrisey | [6] | |
| Alien Nation | Rudyard Kipling | [4] | ||
| Miami Vice | Bates | 1 episode: S5.E6 | [6] | |
| 1996 | Livers Ain't Cheap | Paramedic | [6] | |
| 1999 | Crusade | Officer | 1 episode: S1.E4 | [7] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "'Full Metal Jacket' Kevyn Major Howard Dead at 69". TMZ. February 15, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ a b Clarendon, Dan. "Kevyn Major Howard, 'Full Metal Jacket' & 'Magnum, P.I.' Actor, Dies at 69". TV Insider. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "'Full Metal Jacket' actor Kevyn Major Howard dead at 69". Fox News. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c Wilkes, Joseph. "Full Metal Jacket Rafterman icon Kevyn Major Howard dead aged 69 after health battle". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Price, Ryan. "Full Metal Jacket actor Kevyn Major Howard dies aged 69". Joe. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dick, Jeremy. "Full Metal Jacket Star Kevyn Major Howard Dies at 69". CBR. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Kevyn Major Howard Dies: 'Full Metal Jacket' Actor Was 69". Deadline. February 15, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
External links
edit- Kevyn Major Howard at IMDb
- Kevyn Major Howard at IMDb as Kevin Howard in 'Serial'
- E Online – Credits – Kevyn Major Howard
- IFILM – People – Kevyn Major Howard
- Celebrities @ Hollywood.com-Featuring Kevyn Major Howard at archive.today (archived January 25, 2013)
- Kevyn Major Howard discography at Discogs