Former CFL player-turned-Hollywood producer Doug Falconer passed away suddenly on Sunday at the age of 69, according to a report from Tim Baines of the Ottawa Sun.
A staple of the Ottawa area, the Redblacks offered their heartfelt sympathies on Twitter with a short statement.
“The Redblacks are saddened to learn of the passing of Ottawa Rough Riders’ alumnus Doug (DJ) Falconer. Our condolences go out to his many friends, family, and fans.”
Born in Calgary, Falconer settled in Kingston with his family and went on to have a prolific career with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees as a receiver and defensive back. In 1975, he intercepted two passes in the Churchill Bowl to help his team advance to the Vanier Cup and claim an undefeated championship season.
Selected in the sixth round, 46th overall by the Toronto Argonauts in the 1976 CFL Draft, Falconer split time with Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa his rookie season. Ending up with the Rough Riders for the stretch run, he played a role in the teams victory over Saskatchewan in the 64th Grey Cup. He would go on to play two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, before ending his career in 1979 with short stints in Saskatchewan and Montreal.
Falconer retired having played 49 CFL games, recording two interceptions, five fumble recoveries and one touchdown.
After football, Falconer moved to Los Angeles and eventually founded the production studio Falconer Pictures. Since then he has produced upwards of 15 films, starring major Hollywood names like Kiefer Sutherland, Demi Moore, Geoffrey Rush, Donald Sutherland, Nicolas Cage, Susan Sarandon, Aaron Eckhart and Tommy Lee Jones. His final project, ‘Dangerous,’ starring Scott Eastwood and Mel Gibson is currently in post-production.