The poker world received sad news over the weekend when it was announced that actor Kevyn Major Howard (January 27, 1956 – February 14, 2025) passed away on February 14. Howard died in Las Vegas after being hospitalized for several weeks with a respiratory illness.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my dear friend and supporter of many years of Ante for Autism, Kevyn Major Howard,” poker player Karina Jett, pictured above with Howard, shared on social media. “A major contributor to the cause and a well-known poker player, Kevyn was best remembered for his iconic role in Full Metal Jacket. My deepest condolences to his wife, Tiffanie, his family, and all his friends during this difficult time.”
As Jett alluded to, Howard was perhaps best known for his role as “Rafterman” in the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket by Stanley Kubrick. He also appeared in movies such as Death Wish II and Sudden Impact, as well as the TV show Miami Vice. Howard was also an accomplished photographer.
In the poker world, Howard was a fixture at Ante 4 Autism, which on July 26, 2025, will host its 17th annual charity poker event at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The $200 buy-in tournament is open to everyone.
To date, Ante 4 Autism has raised over $1.4 million and has attracted big names such as Jen Harman, Erik Seidel, Randy Couture, and William Hung, who won the tournament in 2022. The proceeds of the event are now donated back to five Autism related charities each year.
Howard was a longtime supporter of the charity poker event and was well-known among participants.
“We’ll miss laughing, playing poker, and swapping stories with you,” wrote Billy Hayes, the inspiration for the 1978 film Midnight Express and who previously did an interview with PokerNews here.
2004 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champ Greg Raymer offered: “I met him a few times, and he was such a sweet, friendly, and kind man.”
Howard is survived by his wife Tiffanie, stepdaughter Kayla, sister Kim, and his brother Kelsey.
*Images courses of Ante 4 Autism.
PR & Media Manager
