Recommendations of the Editorial team
Donald Gibb, known for his role as blustering frat-bro Frederick Aloysius “Ogre” Palowaski in the 1984 cult classic “Revenge of the Nerds,” has died at age 71.
Gibbs’ family confirmed his death in a statement to ROLLING STONE. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald Gibb – a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and actor. Donald loved God, his family, his friends and his fans with all his heart,” they wrote. “Known for his larger-than-life presence on screen and his kindness off it, he brought joy, laughter and unforgettable moments to countless people throughout his life and career.”
The family continued, recalling that his “strength, generosity and spirit will never be forgotten by those who had the privilege of knowing him personally and by the many fans whose lives he touched over the years.” They asked for “prayers and privacy for the family during this difficult time as we celebrate a fulfilling life and a legacy that will endure forever.”
The unforgettable “Ogre”
Gibb’s imposing stature (he stood 6’3″) and his talent, the oft-quoted rallying cry “Nerds!” shouting at the top of his lungs made him one of the most memorable characters from Jeff Kanew’s 1980s comedy. The actor would reprise the role of Ogre for Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987) and the TV film Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love (1994).
He also played Ray Jackson alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme in the martial arts film “Bloodsport” (1988) – the unbridled counterpart to Van Damme’s level-headed Frank Dux. He returned in 1996 for the sequel “Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite”.
Gibb was born on August 4, 1954 in New York City, grew up in California and later attended the University of New Mexico on a basketball scholarship before transferring to the University of San Diego where he played football. According to IMDB, he was on the San Diego Chargers roster before pursuing an acting career.
Career in film and TV
Over the course of his career, Gibb appeared in numerous films of the 1980s and 1990s, including “Conan the Barbarian” (1982), “Meatballs Part II” (1984), “Jocks” (1986), “Magic Kid 2” (1994) and “Hancock” (2008). The actor also took on guest roles on television and appeared in “Magnum, PI” (1982), “MacGyver” (1991), “Cheers” (1992), “The X-Files” (1993) and “Seinfeld” (1995), among others. He also played Leslie “Dr. Death” Krunchner on the HBO sitcom “1st & Ten,” which ran for six seasons.
Gibbs’ death comes a few months after the passing of his Revenge of the Nerds co-star Robert Carradine, who died on February 23 at the age of 71.
