Donald Gibb, the actor best known for playing the unforgettable bully Ogre in the Revenge of the Nerds movies, has died at the age of 71.
According to TMZ, Gibb’s son Travis confirmed that the actor passed away Tuesday at his home in Texas while surrounded by family members.
While an official cause of death has not been released, reports say Gibb had been dealing with ongoing health problems for some time and that his death was not sudden.
For millions of fans, Gibb will always be remembered as Ogre — the loud, intimidating frat brother with a surprisingly lovable side in the classic Revenge of the Nerds franchise.
He played the fan-favorite character multiple times, including in the 1994 TV movie Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love.
Thanks to his towering frame and powerful build, Gibb often landed roles playing intimidating tough guys throughout his Hollywood career.
One of his most memorable movie appearances outside of the Nerds films came in the 1988 martial arts classic Bloodsport, where he starred alongside action icon Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Gibb also appeared in several hit television shows over the years, including Seinfeld, The X-Files, The A-Team, and HBO’s football comedy series 1st and Ten.
Even decades after Revenge of the Nerds first hit theaters, Gibb remained beloved by fans who grew up watching the cult comedy franchise.
In fact, the actor recently admitted that reconnecting with fans at conventions helped him through one of the darkest periods of his life.
Speaking on the Youngstown Studio podcast in April 2025, Gibb reflected on how fan support helped him recover emotionally after his divorce.
“After my divorce, I did a convention and it was like getting back on the horse,” he said.
“All these people are just wonderful.”
Fans across social media are now mourning the loss of the actor, with many sharing clips, quotes, and memories from his iconic role as Ogre — a character that became one of the most recognizable comedy bullies of the 1980s.