Wings Hauser, a veteran actor known for his numerous film and television roles, including “The Young and the Restless” and “Vice Squad,” died on March 15, 2025, at age 77 (born December 12, 1947). His wife, Cali Lili Hauser, announced his passing on Instagram on Wednesday, March 19.
“Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film & music partner, Cali Lili Hauser at their studio this weekend,” Cali wrote alongside a photo of them with their dog in Carmel, California.
Born Gerald Dwight Hauser in Los Angeles, California, Hauser came from an artistic lineage. He was the son of Academy Award-winning writer, director, and producer Dwight A. Hauser and mother Geraldine T. Hauser. Before fully committing to acting, Hauser pursued music, working as a folk musician and busker in the 1970s, releasing an album titled “Your Love Keeps Me Off the Streets” under the name “Wings Livinryte.”
Hauser’s impressive career spanned 58 years across movies, television, and music. He first appeared on screen in 1967’s “First to Fight” before landing his breakthrough role on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless” in 1977, where he played Greg Foster. He would return to the same role in 2010.
Throughout his extensive career, Hauser appeared in over 100 film and television productions. He became recognized for playing the villainous pimp Ramrod in the 1982 thriller “Vice Squad” alongside Gary Swanson, a role that helped establish him as a compelling character actor. His performance in the 1987 film “Tough Guys Don’t Dance” earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male.
Hauser’s television credits included appearances on popular shows such as “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Fall Guy,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Perry Mason,” “Roseanne,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Kingpin,” “Bones,” and “Criminal Minds.” His film work extended to the critically acclaimed 1999 movie “The Insider,” where he shared the screen with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe.
At the time of his death, Hauser was working on a documentary about his life and career titled “Working Class Actor.”
In her Instagram post, Cali Lili Hauser expressed her intention to continue the project in honor of her late husband’s legacy. She also requested that instead of flowers or cards, fans show support for current and future projects from their sustainable indie film and music studio, Cali Lili Indies.
Hauser’s personal life included multiple marriages. He is survived by his wife Cali Lili Hauser, whom he married on June 12, 2012. (Some sources say 2002) Together, they built a marine life and butterfly animal sanctuary.
Wings Hauser has a daughter, Bright Hauser, from his first marriage to Jane Boltinhouse, which lasted three years and ended in 1973. After the divorce, he was granted sole custody of his young daughter.
He is also survived by his son Cole Hauser from his second marriage to Cass Warner. They were married from 1974 to 1977. After their separation, Cole stayed with his mother and shared in a 2021 interview that he didn’t discover who his father was until he was around nine or ten years old.
Cole Hauser followed in his father’s footsteps to become a successful actor, currently starring as Rip Wheeler on the hit series “Yellowstone.”
Wings was also wed to Nancy Locke from 1979-1999.
In recent years, Hauser had suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), though his wife stated he died of natural causes.
Cali Lili Hauser’s Instagram tribute highlighted Wings’ dedication to his craft and the respect he earned from his peers in the industry. She detailed how he arrived in Hollywood “with thirty dollars and a box of pampers” as a single father and built his career through “hard work and dedication.”
The entertainment industry has lost a versatile performer whose career exemplified persistence and passion for the craft of acting. From his early musical endeavors to his breakthrough in soap operas and his memorable film roles, Wings Hauser leaves behind a substantial body of work that spans nearly six decades in Hollywood.
