Wings Hauser, the prolific character actor known for his roles in “Vice Squad,” “The Young and the Restless” and dozens of other films and shows, died March 15 in Los Angeles of natural causes, his wife Cali Lili Hauser confirmed to Variety. He was 78.
“Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film and music partner, Cali Lili Hauser, at their studio this weekend,” his wife’s statement posted to his Facebook account said. “Wings Hauser’s one of a kind, legendary career spanned 58 years in movies, TV and music working alongside many of the greatest artists in the industry and earning their respect.”
He was born Gerald Dwight Hauser in Hollywood to parents Geraldine and Dwight Hauser. He had numerous roles in both film and television and made his on-screen debut in an uncredited role in 1967’s war drama “First to Fight.” Hauser went on to work on hit shows including “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Fall Guy,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Perry Mason,” “Roseanne,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Kingpin,” “Bones” and “Criminal Minds.”
Hauser had a recurring role in the long-running soap opera “The Young and the Restless” over 15 episodes as Greg Foster, taking on the role after James Houghton and Brian Kern originally played him. Hauser first appeared on the show in 1977 and also came back for three episodes in 2010.
“We were children together, we played life every day, played music and wrote songs together every day in preparation for several upcoming albums, books and a new movie with original soundtrack like our most recent award winning release ‘Eve N’ God; This Female Is Not Yet Rated,’” Cali Hauser said in a statement. “He said that I was his future and even though I am a feminist, I found my perfect partner in this man and was happy/proud to be building something together. I never thought I would ever get married or have a partner until I met Wings. Of course it’s much harder now, but I’m going to fulfill his wishes that I ‘continue the work’ and fulfill all the projects we set up to do in the next few years.”
Hauser’s dad was Dwight Hauser, a writer who was blacklisted during the Communist era and wrote on “The Magical World of Disney.” His son, Cole Hauser, starred on “Yellowstone” as Rip Wheeler, the ranch’s fixer and son-in-law of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton. In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife Cali, his daughter Bright Hauser and sister Helena Hauser.
