Donald Gibb, Revenge of the Nerds Actor, Dies at 71

Actor Donald Gibb, best known for his role as the hulking fraternity brother Ogre in the Revenge of the Nerds film franchise, died Tuesday evening at his home in Texas. He was 71.

His son, Travis Gibb, confirmed that the actor passed away from ongoing health complications while surrounded by family members. Travis described his father as someone who "loved the Lord and his family, friends and fans with all his heart." The family requested prayers and privacy, adding that he "will be deeply missed and forever remembered."

Gibb rose to prominence in 1984 with his portrayal of Frederick Aloysius "Ogre" Palowaski, the dimwitted but memorable antagonist in Revenge of the Nerds, directed by Jeff Kanew. He reprised the role in the 1987 sequel Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise and the 1994 television film Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love. The comedy, which pitted underdog college nerds against a jock fraternity, became a cult classic among film fans.

Beyond the franchise, Gibb built a diverse career in film and television. He starred as the brash fighter Ray Jackson opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1988 martial arts hit Bloodsport and returned for its 1996 sequel,...