'Apollo 13' star Bill Paxton dies at 61

Hollywood actor Bill Paxton, best known for his roles in such blockbusters as "Apollo 13" and "Titanic," has died at the age of 61, a family representative said today.
The versatile Texas-born actor was a familiar face on US movie screens, with a string of memorable credits to his name from a career spanning several decades.
"It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery," said a statement from a family representative.
One of Paxton's earliest character roles was as a thug in the 1984 "The Terminator," and he left a mark as the ill-fated Private Hudson in the 1986 sci-fi thriller "Aliens."

Paxton played the part of Fred Haise, one of the astronauts of the Apollo 13 lunar mission in the 1995 drama of the same name, while in the 1997 "Titanic" he was the treasure hunter who led an obsessive search for the sunken ship.
"A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker," the family statement said.
"Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable. We ask to please respect the family's wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their adored husband and father.