Menu Search

RIP - Rick Faraci (Actor, Martial-artist)

17th August 2015

An imposing figure on and off screen, the industry is this week mourning gentle giant Rick Faraci, a familiar face on many a Vancouver-based production...

RIP Rick FaraciFar too often in recent months we've reported on the death of a celebrity, a famous face or star. Usually we're merely fans of their performances or have appreciated them from a distance. But every so often we have to report on the passing of someone we actually know well.  This past weekend I was told that Rick Faraci had passed.

Rick's name might not be instantly recognisable to everyone, but his imposing frame would be hard to forget. He looked like he could break you in half with a single look - and he probably was more than capable of doing so, though he was more likely to crush you in a bear-hug or help you lose all-feeling in your hand as he challenged you to a friendly arm-wrestle.

In 1994 he appeared as 'Cole' in Jean Claude Van Damme's TimeCop, the following year joined the gang menacing Jackie Chan in Rumble in the Bronx and appeared in Danny Trejo and Steve Austin in 2011's Recoil. He'd also appear on television in the likes of The Net, Flash GordonThe Guard and Arrow. In recent years a large amount of his work was divided between such guest-appearances and solid work behind the scenes. Those familiar with the the productions based in Vancouver (long known as 'Hollywood North' because of how many projects are shot there for American films and television series) will speak better than I can about his sheer presence, but the tributes testify how much he was loved and respected by many associated with those productions. As well as appearing in two episode of Smallville (one as a tattooed prisoner, another playing Lionel Luther's barber!) he was also hired to provide ongoing security on the set - no-one in their right mind was going to mess with this man-mountain, though he became a friendly, respected go-between for fans and stars.

I first met Rick in 2007 when we were both guests at the MarCon event in Columbus, Ohio. He and his partner (later wife) Sharon were both hilarious, earthy characters with no time for the faux airs and graces and 'attitude' you get from some people. They mixed with fellow guests and con-goers alike and Rick was in his element whenever the conversations turned to martial-arts, film-making or how to get the most of out life - personally and professionally. Whether the person he was talking to was 9 or 90, he had the ability to charm them and educate them at the same time. He didn't suffer fools gladly, but was happy to play the clown or be serious as the moment demanded

Rick Faraci, John Mosby and Adrian Paul in VancouverI saw Rick and Sharon again in his hometown of Vancouver when they swung by the Highlander WorldWide event a year later to catch up with mutual friend Adrian Paul (Rick had appeared in the episode of the series 'The Fighter'). Afterwards they let me stay in their home for a week and experience the area away from the event. They were, as ever, charming hosts in their own right.

In 2007 he'd also turned his hand to writing and directing - ultimately producing an affectionately over-the-top slasher pic entitled Blood Brothers: Reign of Terror. But in a parallel career Rick's tough-man credentials and sheer determination were clear to see. On a physical level he created ten world records in a day - largely for breaking things... ranging from woods to marble to iron spikes to blocks of ice. He would also go on to impress the judges with such talents as a popular contestant on Canada's Got Talent. But he was even more proud of triumphing over the illiteracy - and realising he had a form of dyslexia that had gone un-diagnosed and that had made him miserable in his early life -  he'd eventually overcome it by the sheer drive of wanting to read to his daughter.

Rick continued to work in television and film - happy to assume different roles, often behind the camera. Again, he provided the original security on the set of a more recent hit Once Upon a Time.  He actually worked as a bodyguard to John Travolta on a movie in 2014 and when I later asked him if the Hollywood actor was as problematic as some people had claimed, Rick would have none of it, explaining how Travolta had gone above and beyond during production and had personally requested Rick to stay on longer than his original contract because they'd gotten on so well. 

Rick's passing was sad but not a total surprise. I'd been told of his cancer fight several months ago. He and Sharon faced the diagnosis as just another obstacle to overcome with typical determination... something that seemed entirely possible given their ability to face any and all challenges head-on. However I'd learned in the last week of how serious things had become. If Rick couldn't beat this particular foe, he'd face it with grace and at least force it to a draw and in his passing he donated his corneas to help others - a typical gesture from the gentle giant.

He passed away on 14th August.

Rick leaves a tight-knit and yet geographically-expansive extended family and a huge amount of professionals who filled twitter and facebook with acknowledgements. He will be much missed and his legacy will be quiet but significant for those who benefited from his friendship, advice and good humour.

 

 

Notice: Undefined index: cookiesaccepted in /var/www/oldimpactonline.co/templates/impactnew/index.php on line 153

Cookies: We are required by law to tell you this website uses cookies. We assume by using this site you agree to this. Click here to read more or click here to hide this message.