Veteran actor Bernie Casey, who was most known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” died Wednesday at the age of 78.

Remembering Bernie Casey:

Before Casey was an actor, he was breaking records as a football player. Because the West Virginia native was a star football player at Bowling Green University, Casey was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round in 1961. After spending 6 years with San Francisco, Casey went on to play with the Los Angeles Rams for two years.

Interested in the movies, in 1969, Casey made his acting debut in “Guns of the Magnificent Seven,” the sequel to the 1960 western “The Magnificent Seven.” He was a natural and the women fell in love with him. He broke into Hollywood with roles in blaxploitation films, and went on to co-star in nearly 80 different projects

In case you don’t remember Casey from the tv movie Brian’s Song and the television drama, Harris and Company, he is mostly known for his famous roles as U.N. Jefferson, the head of the Lambda Lambda Lambda fraternity, on Revenge of the Nerds, John Slade in I’m Gonna Git You Sucka and Mr. Ryan in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Not only was Casey an actor and an athlete, he was a poet and a painter. Casey, who painted in his off time, published a book of poems called “Look at The People” in 1969.

See A Clip Of Casey In I’m Gonna Git You Sucka! Below:

According to TMZ, a rep for the actor revealed that he died peacefully Wednesday, surrounded by loved ones. TMZ reported that he suddenly fell ill recently, and had spent the last few days hospitalized. Our sincerest condolences go out to Bernie Casey’s family and loved ones. He may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten.