LOS ANGELES — Donald Gibb, the towering actor whose portrayal of the intimidating yet ultimately lovable fraternity brother Ogre in the "Revenge of the Nerds" film franchise made him a cult comedy legend, died Tuesday at his home in Texas. He was 71.

Gibb's son Travis confirmed the news, saying his father passed from health complications surrounded by family members who loved him deeply. The actor, known for his 6-foot-4 frame, gravelly voice and imposing yet comedic presence, had been dealing with unspecified health issues in recent years.

Born Donald Richard Gibb on Aug. 4, 1954, in New York City and raised in California, Gibb's path to Hollywood was unconventional. A gifted athlete, he played basketball on scholarship at the University of New Mexico before transferring to the University of San Diego, where he played football. He briefly joined the San Diego Chargers before a car accident injury shifted his focus to acting.

Gibb began with small, often uncredited roles in films like "Stripes" (1981) and "Conan the Barbarian" (1982). His breakout came in 1984 with "Revenge of the Nerds," where he played Frederick "Ogre" Palowski, the dim-witted but fearsome jock who torments the nerds at Adams College before undergoing a heartwarming transformation. The character's beer-guzzling antics, signature roar and eventual alliance with the underdogs resonated with audiences, turning Gibb into an '80s icon.

He reprised the role in sequels including "Revenge of the........

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