Nashville Cast Mourns the Loss of Powers Boothe

Powers Boothe, the Emmy-winning actor who portrayed the memorable and often villainous Lamar Wyatt on Nashville, died Sunday night (May 14) at age 68.

The patriarch of the Wyatt family had a strained relationship with his daughter Rayna Jaymes for the show’s first two seasons, where they often fought over the time she devoted to her music and her family life. Wyatt also helped Jaymes’ first husband Teddy Conrad become Nashville’s mayor. He left the series in 2014.

Boothe, also known for his work in TV’s Deadwood and films such as Tombstone, Sin City and The Avengers, died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, his publicist said.

The cast of the show remembers Boothe fondly, having spent two years getting to know the man behind Lamar.

Charles Esten, who portrays Deacon Claybourne, posted a video to Instagram of Boothe from the show’s season one wrap party and accompanied it with a sweet message about how “thrilled and honored” he was to work with him on the show. In the clip, Boothe is singing “Honky Tonk Man” on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium.

At the end of a Nashville Season One party, when the great Powers Boothe started to sing "Honky Tonk Man" on @theryman Auditorium stage, I grabbed my phone as fast as I could. So glad I did. This is how I will remember this kind and charismatic man I was thrilled and honored to work with. I was a huge fan when we met. I became even more of one as, through his warmth and generosity, I got to know him a little better. What I'll remember most was his deep bond with, and his obvious love for, his wonderful wife and college sweetheart, Pamela. It's her that he's singing to in this clip. My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to her and to their family. Rest In Peace, Powers. With your singular presence, you elevated every project you were ever a part of – most definitely including ours. We were blessed to have you in, and on, Nashville.

A post shared by Charles Esten (@charles_esten) on May 14, 2017 at 9:16pm PDT

Other cast members took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Boothe and remember their time with him.

So so sad to hear of the death of Powers Boothe. What a legend, what a class act. So grateful to work with him.#Nashville #LamarWyattForever

— Connie Britton (@conniebritton) May 15, 2017

I can't wrap my head around #PowersBoothe being gone. He was an incredible actor, kind soul & class act. Blessed to have known him. RIP

— hayden panettiere (@haydenpanettier) May 16, 2017

Truly shocked by the news that Powers Boothe has passed away. Such a talented, kind and inspiring man. A true gentleman and a friend.

— Sam Palladio (@SamPalladio) May 15, 2017

Godspeed, Powers. I'll never forget the sight of you and beautiful Pamela, two stepping on the Ryman stage that day.

— Clare Bowen (@clarembee) May 15, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Boothe family at this time. As Esten said, we were “blessed to have you in, and on, Nashville.”