James McCaffrey, the voice of Max Payne in the popular video game series, has passed away at the age of 65 after a long fight with cancer, TMZ reported on Monday. The actor, who also appeared in TV shows such as Rescue Me, Suits, and Jessica Jones, died on Sunday at his home in New York.
McCaffrey was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but moved to Albany, New York, when he was young. He began his acting career in the late 1980s, and gained fame for his role as Captain Arthur O'Breun in the crime drama New York Undercover. He also had roles in films such as The Truth About Cats & Dogs, American Splendor, and She Hate Me.
However, he was most widely recognized for his voice work as Max Payne, the gritty and troubled detective who starred in three video games: Max Payne (2001), Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (2003), and Max Payne 3 (2012). McCaffrey also had a cameo appearance in the 2008 film adaptation of the game, starring Mark Wahlberg.
McCaffrey's deep and rich voice gave life to the iconic character, who narrated his own dark and violent story in a noir style. Fans and critics praised McCaffrey's performance, which earned him several awards and nominations. He also voiced other characters in video games, such as Thomas Zane in Alan Wake, Alex Casey in Alan Wake II, and Zachariah Trench in Control.
McCaffrey's death has sparked an outpouring of grief and condolences from his colleagues, friends, and fans. Sam Lake, the writer and creative director of Max Payne and Alan Wake, tweeted: "I'm heartbroken to hear that James McCaffrey has passed away. He was a wonderful actor and a great person. He brought Max Payne to life with his voice and his motion capture. He was Max Payne. Rest in peace, James. You will be missed."
Rockstar Games, the developer and publisher of Max Payne 3, also posted a tribute on their official website: "We are deeply saddened by the news of James McCaffrey's passing. He was an integral part of the Rockstar family, and a true professional who delivered an unforgettable performance as Max Payne. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans."
McCaffrey is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren. A private funeral service will be held later this week. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested donations to be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, a charity that supports research and treatment for the type of cancer that McCaffrey battled..
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