Kevyn Major Howard, the actor best known for portraying Rafterman in the war film Full Metal Jacket, has passed away at the age of 69.
Released in 1987, Full Metal Jacket was directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick. The war film was based on a screenplay co-written by Kubrick, Michael Herr, and Gustav Hasford. It featured a cast that included Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D’Onofrio, Adam Baldwin, Dorian Harewood, and Arliss Howard.
Howard’s family confirmed that he passed away at a hospital in Las Vegas on Friday, surrounded by his loved ones, People reported. The outlet also noted that he had been hospitalized weeks before his passing due to respiratory complications. However, his official cause of death has not yet been determined.
He is survived by his wife, Tiffanie, his stepdaughter, Kayla, as well as his sister, Kim, and brother, Kelsey.
Born in Montreal, Canada, on January 27, 1956, Howard later moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Over the years, he appeared in several television shows and worked alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1983 film Sudden Impact. He was also an extra in Scarface and featured in the 1999 movie Crusade. Additionally, People reported that Howard was a skilled headshot photographer.
Matthew Modine took to X to pay tribute, sharing a photograph of himself with Howard and their Full Metal Jacket co-stars.
Kevyn Major Howard gave and gave and gave so much to the world and especially the men and women of our armed forces. He became famous for his role of ‘Rafterman’ in Stanley Kubrick’s FULL METAL JACKET. His portrayal gave him a unique entrée into the world of the US Marine Corps.… pic.twitter.com/Kc2dYFEwb6
— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) February 16, 2025
“Kevyn Major Howard gave and gave and gave so much to the world and especially the men and women of our armed forces,” Modine wrote. “He became famous for his role of ‘Rafterman’ in Stanley Kubrick’s FULL METAL JACKET,” reported People.
“His portrayal gave him a unique entree into the world of the US Marine Corps,” he continued. “This led him on a decades-long journey to be in service of our nation’s bravest.”
“Thank you for your dedication to others and to America. May all the gods bless you, Kevyn. Rest in peace. #SemperFidelis,” Modine added, reported People.
