Christian Oliver, 51, and his daughters, aged 10 and 12, along with pilot Robert Sachs, perished in a plane crash in the Caribbean.
Social media circulated footage of the tragic dive into the sea.
The crash occurred near Bequia, in the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines waters. Oliver had been celebrating the holidays there.
He and his daughters boarded a jet for Saint Lucia just the day before.
Authorities note the group arrived on December 26. Shortly after takeoff, Sachs reported problems and intended to return. This was their last message before the crash.
Oliver’s career spanned over 60 roles, including in “Speed Racer” and “Hercules Reborn.”
He often played parts in World War II films. His experience with Tom Cruise in “Operation Valkyrie” was notable. Oliver described it as working with the nation’s leader.
He began acting in “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” in 1994. His early inspiration came from his uncle, a stage director in Germany.
Oliver leaves behind two unreleased films: “London Blue” and “Forever Hold Your Peace.”
An investigation into the aircraft’s failure is ongoing. Local fishermen rushed to help after witnessing the crash.
They recovered all four bodies from the water. The community mourns the loss of Oliver, a talented actor and devoted father. His contribution to the film world remains significant.