Bill Paxton suffered stroke after heart surgery
Popular actor had surgery Feb. 14, suffered stroke 11 days later
Actor Bill Paxton died of a stroke after undergoing heart surgery, according to his death certificate.
The popular, prolific and charismatic actor — known for films such as Aliens, Twister, Titanic, Apollo 13 and A Simple Plan as well as the cable series Big Love — underwent heart surgery to replace a valve and correct an aortic aneurysm on Feb. 14, according to reports in People and TMZ.
The 61-year-old Texan died nearly two weeks later, on Feb. 25, after suffering a stroke.
A family representative who issued a statement at the time had cited "complications from surgery," but provided no further details.
"Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable. We ask to please respect the family's wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their adored husband and father," the statement said.
Paxton is survived by his wife of 30 years, Louise Newbury, and their two children.
At the time of his death, Paxton had already completed filming of the inaugural season of the CBS show Training Day. Starring Paxton as a morally ambiguous police detective partnered with an idealistic junior officer, the series was a revamp of the earlier Antoine Fuqua film that earned Denzel Washington his second Oscar in 2002.
The drama series, which premiered Feb. 2, has so far attracted dwindling ratings and, after Paxton's passing, a second season is unlikely.