Edward Albert, who starred opposite Goldie Hawn in the 1972 comedy "Butterflies Are Free" and was the son of film and TV star Eddie Albert, has died. He was 55.
Albert died Friday from lung cancer at his home in Malibu, said Alan Silberberg, a family friend.
Albert's middle name was Laurence — named after family friend and acting legend Laurence Olivier, who was his godfather.
Born in Los Angeles in 1951, Albert made his film debut at 14. He played a runaway who comes across a disturbed Civil War veteran, played by Anthony Perkins, in the 1965 drama "The Fool Killer."
Albert attended Oxford University and studied psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In 1972, he appeared in "Butterflies Are Free," playing a blind attorney who attempted to break free from his overly protective mother. The role earned him a Golden Globe as most promising male newcomer.
His movies included "40 Carats," "The Ice Runner" and "Guarding Tess." Among his TV credits were appearances on "Falcon Crest," "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and "Port Charles."
Albert also was passionate about preserving the environment, serving on both the California Coastal Commission and the state's Native American Heritage Commission. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy named a trail in his honor earlier this year.
"He was a person who gave back to everyone around him and to this planet," Silberberg said.
Albert spent the last 10 years caring for his father, Eddie Albert, who died in 2005 at 99. His father is probably best known as the star of the TV show "Green Acres".
Edward Albert is survived by his wife, actress Kate Woodville; their daughter, Thais; and his sister, Maria Zucht.
Plans for a memorial service were pending.