Brad William Henke, 'Orange Is the New Black' actor, dead at 56 - CNN

CNN  — 

Brad William Henke, a seasoned quality histrion known for his enactment connected “Orange Is the New Black” and different series, has died, according to his cause and manager.

He was 56.

“Brad Henke was an incredibly benignant antheral of joyous energy. A precise talented actor, helium loved being a portion of this community….and we loved him back,” his manager, Matt DelPiano, wrote successful a connection shared connected Instagram. “Our thoughts are with his woman and family.”

Henke “died peacefully successful his sleep” connected November 29, his agent, Sheree Cohen, told CNN successful a statement.

Born successful Columbus, Nebraska, and raised successful Littleton, Colorado, helium earned a shot assistance to the University of Arizona.

A standout antiaircraft lineman, squad captain, and All-Academic pupil journalist, Henke was drafted into the National Football League by the New York Giants successful 1989, and yet made it to the roster for the Denver Broncos and played successful Super Bowl XXIV against the San Francisco 49ers.

Repeated injuries led to his status from the NFL successful 1994.

Henke moved to Los Angeles hoping to interruption into coaching and alternatively recovered himself successful beforehand of the camera aft helium attended an unfastened telephone for a commercialized looking for “big guys.”

He was arsenic swift to find enactment successful Hollywood arsenic helium was connected the tract and helium soon racked up dozens of appearances connected tv series, including “ER,” “Silk Stalkings,” “Arli$$” and more.

He besides landed supporting roles successful films similar “Space Jam” and “Mr. Wrong.”

But it was his breakout relation successful 2017 playing Desi Piscatella, a cheery corrections serviceman astatine Litchfield Federal Penitentiary connected the deed Netflix bid “Orange Is the New Black,” which earned him a SAG Award for outstanding show by an ensemble successful a drama series.

He appeared successful much than 40 films similar “Bright, Fury,” “Me and You and Everyone We Know” and “Choke,” the second of which won a Special Jury Prize for enactment by an ensemble formed astatine the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

Henke opened an acting workplace successful Los Angeles successful 2000 wherever helium helped to usher the careers of different actors.

His outreach to those successful his assemblage besides included producing showcases, helping his students onshore agents and lending his acting abilities to up-and-coming filmmakers, including “Short Term 12” and “Willy’s Wonderland.”

An avid NFL and UFC fan, helium was besides a devoted household antheral who “visited his parent frequently, loved taking his stepson to shot games and gymnastics and adored his dog, Ruby” according to his agent.

Henke is survived by his parent Tammy, his sister Annette, his woman Sonja, his stepson Aaden, his stepdaughter Leasa and his grandchild Amirah.