Free Willy Actor August Schellenberg Dead at Age 77

He also won an Emmy for his work in on miniseries Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

Free Willy actor August Schellenberg has sadly passed away at age 77.

The Canadian actor had been fighting a longtime battle with cancer and died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, his family told reporters.

While most may remember him for his role as Jesse's Native American mentor in all three of the whale flicks, Schellenberg actually has had a long and colorful career in Hollywood.

In fact, he was nominated for an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or movie for his performance as Chief Sitting Bull in the 2007 hit Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

Schellenberg also appeared in The New World alongside Christian Bale and Colin Farrell in 2005. He also played Clay Bedonie in the smash series Grey's Anatomy.

After being born in Montreal, he made the move to Texas in 1995 where he got married and raised his family.

He is survived by his wife Joan Karasevich and their three daughters, all of whom still currently reside in Dallas.