The late Robert O. Smith, my parents, my wife and I all shared a love of the circa 2001 A&E series "Nero Wolfe". It starred Maury Chaykin as "the big guy", a brusque role he had difficulty doing because the Canadian actor was really mild mannered.
Most people will remember him from "Dances with Wolves" but he did a lot else, too.
Death is an awful birthday present for anyone, least of all a nice guy like Maury. He was 61 as of today, the day of his death.