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We have some sad news to share today, as the official Wings Hauser page on social media has revealed that the prolific character actor passed away over the weekend at the age of 77. As the post reads, “Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film & music partner, Cali Lili Hauser at their studio this weekend.“

Known for having one of the coolest names in cinema history, Wings Hauser was actually born Gerald Dwight Hauser on December 12, 1947. “Wings” was part of a stage name (Wings Livinryte) he used for a 1975 folk music album called Your Love Keeps Me Off the Streets, and he was credited as Wings Livinryte when he appeared on an episode of the TV series Cannon that same year. After that, he moved on to calling himself Wings Hauser.

Hauser made his screen debut with an uncredited appearance in the 1967 film First to Fight.

Prolific character actor Wings Hauser has passed away at the age of 77.

“Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film and music partner, Cali Lili Hauser, at their studio this weekend,” Hauser’s official Facebook page announced.

Born in Hollywood to Academy Award-winning father Dwight A. Hauser, Wings Hauser appeared in over 100 films and TV shows throughout his 58-year career.

His horror credits include Tales from the Hood, Rubber, Vice Squad, Mutant, Nightmare at Noon, The Wind, Watchers III, Pale Blood, The Carpenter, and an episode of “Freddy’s Nightmares.”

Outside the genre, Hauser appeared in films like The Insider, A Soldier’s Story, Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time, and Tough Guys Don’t Dance, which earned him an Independent Spirit Award

He also guest starred on such shows as “House,” “Criminal Minds,” “The Mentalist,” “Bones,” “Castle,” “Monk,” “CSI,” “Roseanne,” and “The A-Team.”

Behind the camera, Hauser worked as a screenwriter,...

As Scream Factory continues to diversify their slate of releases — most recently striking a licensing deal with Warner Bros. at long last, resulting in more John Carpenter titles joining the lineup — one of the exciting parts of the company continues to be their commitment to giving smaller, lesser-known catalogue titles the HD treatment. They’re not always great, but they’re always worth checking out.

First up is Nightmare at Noon from Greek madman Nico Mastorakis, the director responsible for Island of Death, The Zero Boys, and Hired to Kill. Part crazy action movie, part zombie outbreak movie, Nightmare at Noon finds a small town’s water supply being tainted by a mad scientist, which turns all those who drink it into crazed, mutated monsters. If that premise doesn’t grab you — and as a genre fan, it probably should — the cast is pure B-movie heaven: Wings Hauser, Bo Hopkins,...

If you enjoy George A. Romero's The Crazies, you might want to watch it as a double bill with another "infected town" film: Nico Mastorakis' Nightmare at Noon. Also known as Death Street USA, Nightmare at Noon is out now on a new Blu-ray from Scream Factory, and we've been provided with three Blu-ray copies to give away to Daily Dead readers brave enough to visit Canyonland.

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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of Nightmare at Noon.

How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:

1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:

https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/

2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Nightmare at Noon Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.