Powers Boothe, actor in Iowa-based ‘The Final Season,’ dies at 68

LOS ANGELES - Powers Boothe, a character actor on the small and big screen, died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 68.

Boothe died in his sleep Sunday morning of natural causes, his rep tells Variety.

Among Boothe's many screen roles was a starring role in the 2007 film 'The Final Season,” which told the story of the last season of Norway, Iowa's renowned baseball team.

'Powers Boothe is dynamic as gritty coach Jim Van Scoyoc, who was forced out of his job by the superintendent pushing for consolidation with fictional Madison Community School (Benton Community in real life),” read a review of the movie by Gazette entertainment writer Diana Nollen. 'Boothe brings an intensity to the role amplified by the wisdom etched in his face.”

Boothe also appeared in several comic book shows and movies, portraying Senator Roark in 'Sin City” and its sequel 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” (pictured above). He also had a small role in 'The Avengers.”

He also played Gideon Malick for eleven episodes on 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” As a voice actor, he voiced Gorilla Grodd and Red Tornado on the animated 'Justice League” series.

His talents weren't only limited to genre material. He played former Mayor Lamar Wyatt on 26 episodes of the country drama 'Nashville,” as well as Judge 'Wall” Hatflied on 'Hatfields & McCoys.” Before that, he played saloon owner Cy Tolliver on 'Deadwood” and Vice President Daniels on '24.”

Actor Beau Bridges tweeted news of Boothe's passing on Sunday.

In 1980, Boothe took home the Emmy for lead actor in a limited series or special for playing infamous cult leader Jim Jones in 'Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.”

His other notable film roles included 'Red Dawn,” 'The Emerald Forest,” 'Tombstone” and Oliver Stone's 'Nixon,” in which he played Alexander Haig.

Born in Snyder, Texas, Boothe joined the Oregon Shakespeare Festival after graduating from college and worked in theater before moving to film and television.

According to reps, there will be a private service held in Texas where he was from. A memorial celebration in his honor is being considered for a future date. Donations can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors the nation's defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.