Tom Sizemore died at the age of 61. The actor was best recognized for his tough-guy portrayals in classic films such as Saving Private Ryan.

Sizemore had a brain aneurysm on February 18 and is now in critical condition. His Hollywood career has also been hampered by legal concerns and drug problems.

The actor was in a coma and receiving medical treatment. On February 27, doctors reportedly told the family that “there is no further hope” and advised them to make an end-of-life decision.

The actor’s manager, Charles Lago, told Variety that the family ultimately opted to take him from life support on March 3.

“It is with tremendous grief and sorrow that I must announce that actor Thomas Edward Sizemore (‘Tom Sizemore’) died peacefully in his sleep today at St Joseph’s Hospital Burbank,” Lago said in a statement. “His brother Paul, as well as twin brothers Jayden and Jagger (17), were by his side.”

“I am very devastated by my big brother Tom’s death,” his brother Paul Sizemore said in a statement, according to Variety. “He was really bigger than life. He has had the greatest impact on my life of anyone I know. He was gifted, caring, and generous, and his humor and storytelling ability could keep you captivated for hours. I am heartbroken that he is no longer with us and will miss him forever.”

Sizemore was born on November 29, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan. He made his Hollywood debut in modest roles in films such as Born on the Fourth of July, Point Break, True Romance, and Natural Born Killers.

He went on to enjoy success as a well-liked supporting actor in the highly rated 1995 heist film Heat and as a regular on the TV series China Beach.

Sizemore is most known for his portrayal as Sgt. Mike Horvath in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, which takes place during World War II.

In a memorable scene, Sgt. Horvath wonders that “rescuing Private Ryan” might have been the “one decent thing” they were able to accomplish during the war, despite the costs:

Saving Private Ryan, the year’s highest-grossing film in the United States, was also an Oscar winner. Sizemore’s performance was well received and helped develop his career, despite the fact that he did not receive any awards for it.

Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down are two other action and military films featuring Sizemore. He also contributed the vocals for the blockbuster computer game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Sizemore’s long history of addiction and legal problems, however, regularly cast a shade over his achievements. The actor stated that he fought with addiction when he was 15 years old.

“I started by drinking. People could tell if you were intoxicated, so I thought, ‘Hey, look, let me find a substance where I can feel comfortable in my own skin,’” he told the Associated Press. “But I did it. I discovered a substance known as cocaine. For a while, I did it. Later I discovered an even greater drug, which was called heroin.”

Sizemore’s battle with addiction led to legal problems. After his ex-girlfriend Heidi Fleiss testified that Sizemore had punched her in the jaw, he was found guilty of domestic abuse in 2003.

He was sentenced to probation, counseling, and anger management, as well as a 7-month jail term, after failing drug tests while on probation.

When he was arrested for methamphetamine possession in 2007, he was already on probation for a previous conviction. In 2017, he was charged with domestic abuse after punching his partner, and he pleaded no contest. A complaint against Sizemore was later dismissed, but the actor was accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl on set in 2017. Sizemore vehemently denied the charges. Sizemore was arrested in 2019 for small drug possession.

Sizemore has already spoken up about his struggles with addiction and being sober.

“I’ve been trying to get sober since 1991,” he said in 2021 to Fox News Digital. “That became really big news much later than that, but I was trying to stop. I’ve had a problem for quite some time. “I would have extended periods of abstinence and then relapse.”

In his 2016 autobiography, Sizemore claims that Robert DeNiro once convinced him to undergo rehab by telling him he was “about to die.”

“I stepped in to visit my shrink and there were all these folks there… I take a seat, and Bob [De Niro] walks in and says, ‘Alright. Now we can chat… Now listen to me, I’m not a psychiatrist… so you’re either going to go to treatment or go to prison — and in walks a cop”.

Sizemore appeared in the third season of the reality television show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2010.

Despite the fact that his personal problems had a considerable detrimental impact on and frequently overshadowed his career, Sizemore continued to act, starring in dozens of films. He appeared in episodes of Hawaii Five-0, Shooter, and the 2017 Twin Peaks reboot.

Sizemore’s twin sons, Jagger and Jayden, all 17 years old, are left behind. Sizemore’s ex-girlfriend, Janelle McIntire, is their mother.

Tom Sizemore, rest in peace. Despite a turbulent life, he will be remembered for his amazing performances in so many legendary films.

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