Wings Hauser has died at the age of 78.
The actor’s wife, Cali Lili Hauser, took to Instagram on Wednesday, March 19, to announce his death. In a lengthy message, Cali detailed Wings’ success and remembered him for his dedication to his craft.
“Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film & music partner, Cali Lili Hauser at their studio this weekend,” it said, alongside a photo of them with their dog in Carmel, California, where his mother grew up. “Born in Hollywood, proud Academy member and prouder son of Academy Award winning writer, director, producer Dwight A. Hauser and loving mother Geraldine T. Hauser, Wings Hauser’s one of a kind, legendary career spanned 58 years in movies, tv & music working alongside many of the greatest artists in the industry and earning their respect.”
In addition to his wife, Wings is survived by his children: daughter Bright Hauser and son Cole Hauser.
Cole followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor as well. He recently starred as Rip Wheeler, the son-in-law of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton, in Yellowstone.
At the November premiere for season 5 of Yellowstone, Cole, 49, told PEOPLE that he received valuable advice from his father about entering the industry.
“Oh god, yeah. I mean, I think his advice was, you know, persist until you succeed,” Cole said. “Yeah, you know you’re gonna get knocked down in this business. You’re gonna be told ‘no’ a lot, but just keep following your dreams.”
Wings got his start on First to Fight in 1967 before landing roles on Magnum, P.I., The Fall Guy, Murder, She Wrote, Perry Mason, Roseanne, Beverly Hills, 90210, Kingpin, Bones and Criminal Minds.
He is best known for playing Greg Foster on the popular soap opera The Young and the Restless in 1977 and again in 2010.
He also appeared in a number of films, most notably the 1982 thriller Vice Squad, in which he played Ramrod alongside Gary Swanson. In 1999, he appeared in The Insider with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe and later took on Rubber and Tough Guys Don’t Dance.