Whitney Rydbeck Dies: ‘Friday The 13th’ Actor And PSA Character Was 79

Bruce Haring

20 July 2024 at 3:55 pm·1-min read

Whitney Rydbeck Dies: ‘Friday The 13th’ Actor And PSA Character Was 79

Whitney Rydbeck, who memorably appeared in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives and later made a major impact in a safety PSA, died last week from prostate cancer complications while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California. He was 79.

Rydbeck started in TV, making one-episode appearances on shows like The Brady Bunch, Big John, Little John, M*A*S*H, Switch. He continued later in his career with appearances on 3rd Rock From the Sun and Scrubs.

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He was featured as Roy in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, a paintball soldier who fires shots at Jason Voorhees, but ultimately is murdered by him.

Perhaps his biggest role came as crash test dummy “Larry” in PSAs asking people to wear seatbelts. One of Rydbeck’s original outfits ended up in the Smithsonian.

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More recently, Rydbeck taught drama at Pasadena City College.

The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ reported first on his death.

Rydbeck is survived by his longtime partner, Claire.

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Whitney Rydbeck Dies: ‘Friday The 13th’ Actor And PSA Character Was 79

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