Anthony Guidera has died at the age of 65. The actor passed away on Saturday at a hospital in the Los Angeles area, according to Variety. He had suffered a cardiac arrest in May and remained on life support for several weeks. His wife, Valarie Anderson, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post, writing: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Anthony.” Guidera is survived by his wife and their son, Nick.

Anthony Guidera Passed Away Following a Cardiac Emergency

According to Anderson, Anthony Guidera received medical attention at home on May 11 after experiencing a serious heart problem and was later rushed to the hospital. He was eventually removed from life support. Anderson and Guidera had been married for 20 years, making the loss especially devastating for those closest to him. His rapid decline came as a shock to family and friends.

His Acting Journey Began With The Godfather Part III

Guidera landed his first film role in 1990 in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part III, portraying Anthony the Bodyguard. Born in San Francisco on October 18, 1960, he later moved to Paris, where he spent nearly a decade traveling the world while working as a model and commercial actor under the name James Guidera. He also performed in theater productions in Paris and studied under Robert Lewis at the Actors Studio in New York, experiences that helped shape his acting career.

Species Brought Him Wider Recognition

Guidera gained broader recognition through the 1995 sci-fi horror film Species. One memorable scene opposite Natasha Henstridge earned the pair an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss. He also appeared in major Hollywood productions such as Michael Bay’s The Rock and Armageddon, often portraying military pilots. Additional film credits included High Tide, The Postman, The Good News, and The Annihilation of Fish, showcasing his versatility throughout the 1990s.

Memorable Roles on Television

In addition to his film work, Guidera built an extensive television résumé. He appeared in popular series including Baywatch, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Renegade, Red Shoe Diaries, Hope & Gloria, Nash Bridges, Acapulco H.E.A.T., and Angel. Later, he also made appearances on ER. His final credited role came in 2005 with L.A. Dicks, bringing to a close a career that spanned both film and television.