The most wonderful actor dies at age 76 after a long battle with a rare disease.

Paul D’Amato, the actor who inspired Marvel’s Wolverine, has died. He was 76 years old.

He was best known for his many roles in the US police drama Law & Order.

His family said he died on Monday after having a rare brain disease for four years.

That D’Amato was “the most wonderful, sweetest guy” who fought “so hard,” according to Marina Re, who is engaged to him.

He also played a sergeant opposite Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter, an epic war drama that came out in 1978.

But it was his role as “Dr. Hook” in the ice hockey hit Slap Shot that made him the model for the X-Men character Wolverine.

Drawer John Byrne said this about D’Amato: “He just had the look.”

“His eyes were crazy.” That’s what Wolverine needs to have.

When people heard that D’Amato had died, they sent him a lot of tributes.

A fan wrote, “Rest in peace, Paul D’Amato.” Most of us know him as Tim “Dr. Hook” McCracken from Slap Shot, the best hockey movie ever.

“Good luck, Dr. Hook. Thanks for making us laugh.”

They said, “Rest in peace, Paul D’Amato.” We will miss you.

He worked as a boot fitter in a Vermont ski shop when he was older.

His sister Andrea and her boyfriend Marina Re will miss him.