Scott L. Schwartz was an actor and pro wrestler best known for playing Bruiser in “Ocean’s Eleven” and its two sequels.
- Died: November 26, 2024 (Who else died on November 26?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Covington, Louisiana of congestive heart failure at the age of 65.
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Scott L. Schwartz’s legacy
Schwartz never planned to be an actor. He began his career as a wrestler, and when he was first approached by an agent about a possible acting career, Schwartz was adamantly against it. He loved wrestling, having made a name for himself as Joshua Ben Gurion, the Israeli Commando. After training under pro wrestling pioneer “Killer” Kowalski (1926–2008), Schwartz wrestled around the world and had a goal, as he told Slam Wrestling magazine, of retiring as a wrestler.
But once the idea of an acting career took root, and he began thinking about the perks that might come with it, Schwartz was sold. He got his start in the 1990s with appearances in action movies and on TV shows like “Martin,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “V.I.P.,” and “Angel.” By 1999, he had hung up his wrestling boots and transitioned his career entirely to acting.
Schwartz got a big break when he was cast in the 2001 box office smash, “Ocean’s Eleven.” His character, Bruiser, was a heavy with a memorable scene, in which he pretended to brutally beat George Clooney’s character. (In a statement upon hearing of Schwartz’s death, Clooney recalled, “I’ve never been so gently punched.”) Schwartz returned for “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Ocean’s Thirteen,” the only actor outside the core heist crew to appear in all three films. He also had roles in such movies as “The Scorpion King,” “Starsky & Hutch,” and “Fun with Dick and Jane.” His many TV appearances included “The Young and the Restless,” “The Mentalist,” “Nash Bridges,” and “Castle.”
In addition to acting and wrestling, Schwartz was also devoted to giving back; he especially concentrated on visiting children’s oncology wards at hospitals. He began the practice after losing his sister to lung cancer in 1998, and he continued it for decades. He also served on the board of directors of Reading, Writing, It’s Exciting!, plus supported such charities as Toys for Tots and the food pantry Alicia’s House.
Schwartz on his switch to acting
“Eventually it just got to the point where it just got in my blood. I did a couple of good jobs, and I liked the way I got treated, and that was it, the rest is history, as they say.” —from a 2006 interview for Slam Wrestling
Tributes to Scott L. Schwartz
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
