R.I.P. Dick Butkus: ‘Miller Lite’ Pitchman, TV Star And NFL Hall Of Famer Dead At 80

Dick Butkus, historic Chicago Bears linebacker and actor, “died peacefully in his sleep” at his home in Malibu, California on Thursday (Oct. 5), per a statement released by his family via the Chicago Bears’ account on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter).

“The Butkus family is gathering with Dick’s wife Helen,” the statement continued. “They appreciate your prayers and support.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement on Thursday, praising Butkus — who was drafted to the NFL in 1965 — as “a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL’s all-time greats.”

However, his career didn’t end in the end zone. Just prior to his retirement from the NFL in 1973, he tried his hand at acting, per CNN. According to IMDb, Butkis’ acting debut was a cameo in the 1971 sports drama Brian’s Song. He then went on to make various TV cameos over the decades, including Wonder Woman (1979), The Greatest American Hero (1982), and Murder, She Wrote (1985).

Following a reoccurring role in Blue Thunder in 1984, he landed a gig on Seasons 1 and 2 of the sitcom My Two Dads as Ed Klawicki, a diner owner and former football player, a character he played for 27 episodes.

According to USA Today, Butkus’ longest role was as Coach Mike Katowinski on Hang Time, an NBC sitcom about a girl who scores a spot on the mens’ basketball team at her new high school. Butkus appeared in 52 episodes of the series.

Outside of film and TV, Butkus starred in commercials, and was best known for his Miller Lite ads with the slogan: “tastes great, less filling.” He appeared in some of these ads alongside fellow former NFL players, such as Bubba Smith and Billy Martin.