A professional football player, Bernie Casey turned poet, painter and actor known for parts in films such as "Revenge of the Nerds" has died at age 78.

Casey died Tuesday, September, 19, in Los Angeles after a brief illness, his talent agent Erin Connor confirmed.

The multi-talented star was born in West Virginia in 1939 and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Casey excelled in track and field and football and attended Bowling Green State University on an athletic scholarship.

He went on to play wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams before going back to his alma mater to get a master's degree in fine arts.

He painted and published books of poetry, but the football association that he viewed as a stepping stone followed him.

He also starred in movies like Boxcar Bertha, Never Say Never Again.