Kevyn Major Howard, a name synonymous with the gritty realism captured in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket", has passed away at the age of 69. According to a post by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Canadian-born actor breathed his last this past Friday. While Howard may be internationally recognized for his work in front of the camera, particularly as the war correspondent Rafterman, it's his off-screen passions that painted a fuller picture of the man.
Beyond the reel, Howard's nationalism fueled an impressive endeavor, FUELED BY THE FALLEN, a non-profit tribute to American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. In colorful defiance of grief, he transformed vintage muscle cars into roaring memorials, each one bearing the names of fallen soldiers from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A similar homage extended to police vehicles commemorating the lives of law enforcement officers lost in the line of duty since 9/11. The legacy of these efforts, as shared by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, resonated strongly within the community, bridging the gap between art and remembrance.
Reflecting on his eclectic career, TMZ recalls Howard's stints acting alongside some of Hollywood's legends—Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, and Frank Sinatra to name a few. Howard's journey began post-college when he, leveraging his dual citizenship, moved to LA to chase the actor's dream. As TMZ reported, rooted in a friendship that outlasted their cinematic warfare, Howard remained close to Matthew Modine, with the pair reportedly sharing words just before Howard's passing.
Howard's contributions to cinema and philanthropy will be carried on through his family, including his wife Tiffanie, his stepdaughter Kayla, and siblings Kim and Kelsey. In Howard's memory, his family has urged that donations be directed to the organization closest to his heart, FueledBytheFallen.org. With tangibles like the Angel Cars and the Los Angeles County Memorial Cruiser as his legacy, the memories and tributes Howard leaves behind are set in steel and storied tradition. He was, after all, 69 years young.
