While official cause of death has yet to be determined, Sharon Alkus, the wife of Beau Kazer, who portrayed Brock Reynolds on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” off and on since originating the role in 1974, told The Hollywood Reporter that her husband is believed to have died in his sleep on December 30, 2014, and that he had been battling health issues for two years.
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At the time of his death, the Toronto native had been working towards finishing his book, “Adventures in Honkerville,” in Thousand Oaks, CA.
“Sadly, he was almost done,” Alkus said. “I will type up the remainder of the chapters and dedicate it: ‘To Beau Kazer, a truly loving human being, one I hope to meet again someday.'”
In addition to his role on “Y&R,” Kazer appeared on “General Hospital” (as Dr. Bunny Wilson), “Hart to Hart,” “B.J. and the Bear” and “Barnaby Jones.”
In Martin Scorsese‘s 1976 film “Taxi Driver, Robert De Niro‘s character, Travis Bickle, kicks over a TV set that is playing an episode of “Y&R” that features Kazer’s Brock. In the film’s credit, Kazer was listed as “Soap Opera Man” and scene partner Brenda Dickson, who appeared as Jill Abbott at the time, was credited as “Soap Opera Woman.”