Sonny Landham dead: Predator star dies age 76

Co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger has led tributes to the late actor

Sonny Landham in the 1987 film Predator (20th Century Fox)

Predator star Sonny Landham has died aged 76.

Landham, who began his career in adult films, was known for his role as tracker Billy Sole in the 1987 film. He also appeared on TV for roles in Miami Vice and the A Team.

His sister, Dawn Boehler, said in a statement that the actor died from heart failure at a hospital in Kentucky.

Landham’s early work in the 1970s included several X-rated films. After being cast in 1979 street-gang thriller The Warriors, however, he was type-cast as the tough guy in 1980s films including Action Jackson. He continued to appear in films through the 1990s.

In 2003 he ran a brief campaign for the governor of Kentucky, but was unable to secure the Republican Party’s nomination.

Landham also ran for the Kentucky State Senate in 2004, and was nominated by Kentucky's Libertarian party to run for one of the state's seats in the US Senate. However, his comments on a political radio show caused the party to rescind his nomination a few days later.

Co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger took to Twitter to pay tribute.

"Sonny Landham was such a joy to work with on Predator - so talented, so fun to be around," he wrote. "We'll miss him. My thoughts are with his family."

The actor went into politics in later life, initially running in the Republican Party primary for Governor of Kentucky, but failed to win the nomination. He then re-entered as an independent candidate before withdrawing from the race and instead backing the Republican candidate.

Landham is survived by his son, William, and daughter Priscilla.