Robert Charles Hunter, former CEO of PepsiCo Meals Programs, creator and the third husband of three-time Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, has died. He was 77.
Charles died Thursday in Texas whereas visiting his youngsters, his household introduced.
Hunter labored at PepsiCo (dwelling of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell & KFC eating places) for 23 years, serving as CEO for 11 of these.
He and Ladd co-founded Ojai-based Exxcell Leisure in 1999 — they have been married in February of that 12 months — to provide movies. Later, he performed Detective Hutchinson in David Lynch’s 2006 thriller Inland Empire, which featured Ladd and her daughter, Oscar-winning actress Laura Dern.
Born in Germany on April 2, 1948, Hunter additionally wrote the 2008 novel Curious Journey: Origins and a 2011 follow-up, Curious Journey: Power, which “tapped into his mind and curiosity concerning the world,” his household stated.
“Robert at all times liked Texas,” they added. “The huge skies, the daring spirit and the heat of Fort Price have been a part of his soul. Returning dwelling introduced him peace and pleasure — a sense he typically described as ‘like coming again to the rhythm of my coronary heart.’”
Hunter and Ladd first met in Sedona, Arizona. She wrote in her 2023 memoir that he was there for self-introspection as he had been divorced two years on the time and had retired at age 50.
Along with his spouse and stepdaughter, survivors embody his youngsters, Brandon, Amy and Emily, and his 10 grandchildren.
Ladd, 89, earned her Academy Award nominations for her turns in Alice Doesn’t Reside Right here Anymore (1974), Lynch’s Wild at Coronary heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991).
She was additionally married to two-time Oscar-nominated actor Bruce Dern from 1960-69 and to businessman William Shea Jr. from 1973-76.