Donald Gibb, the towering character actor best known for his unforgettable role as “Ogre” in the cult classic Revenge of the Nerds, has died at the age of 71.
According to his son, Travis, Gibb passed away Tuesday evening at his home in Texas following health complications after a long illness. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.
Gibb became a pop culture staple in the 1980s for his role as the aggressive but comedic Alpha Beta fraternity member in “Revenge of the Nerds,” where his repeated chant of “NERDS!” became one of the film’s most iconic running gags. He went on to reprise the character in multiple sequels, extending the legacy of the role across more than a decade.
He also reached a new audience in sports and action cinema, appearing as Ray Jackson in the martial arts hit Bloodsport alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film became a defining title in Van Damme’s rise to fame and remains a staple of 1980s action filmmaking.
Television audiences remember Gibb from HBO’s football comedy 1st & Ten, where he played linebacker Leslie “Dr. Death” Krunchner, a fan-favorite role that leaned into his imposing presence and comedic timing.
Later in his career, Gibb made appearances in projects including the Will Smith-led superhero film Hancock, continuing to work steadily across film and television.
Born in New York and raised in California, Gibb earned a basketball scholarship to the University of New Mexico before transferring to the University of San Diego, where he played both football and basketball—athletic roots that later shaped many of his on-screen roles.
News of his passing comes just months after the death of fellow “Revenge of the Nerds” co-star
Robert Carradine, who died earlier this year at 71.
Gibb leaves behind a legacy as a distinctive screen presence whose mix of physicality and humor helped define a generation of 1980s comedy and action films.
