George Clooney has paid tribute to his former costar.Photo:Neil P. Mockford/Getty; Albert L. Ortega/Getty

George Clooney attends the UK premiere of “The Boys In The Boat”; Scott L. Schwartz attends Cupcakes Magazine Launch Party

Neil P. Mockford/Getty; Albert L. Ortega/Getty

George Clooneyis paying tribute to his former “Ocean’s Eleven” costar, “gentle soul” Scott L. Schwartz who has died at the age of 65.

“I’m sorry to hear that Scott is gone,” Clooney, 63, said, perVariety. “We did three films together and I’ve never been so gently punched. He was a gentle soul and he will be dearly missed."

The 6-foot-10 actor played “Bruiser” in Steven Soderbergh’sOcean’sheist trilogy. His wife Misty confirmed to PEOPLE that he died of congestive heart failure on Nov. 26 at his home in Covington, L.A. He was 65.

The wrestler turned actor has died at the age of 65.Michel Boutefeu/Getty

Actor Scott L. Schwartz from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” signs autographs at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention

Michel Boutefeu/Getty

Schwartz’s wife — who describes him as the “love of her life and best friend” — also shared with PEOPLE,that while he loved his time on screen he was “most proud of his charity work.” Schwartz was awarded the Glass Slipper Award from the children’s healthcare foundation CHOC with fellow recipients includingDavid BeckhamandGwen Stefani.

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“Most people associate Scott with the movies, but those who know him personally associated him with being a jolly person, so full of life, a strong loving person, foodie and travel aficionado,” Misty shares. She adds that he “truly loved life and everyone that he met along the way.”

Misty tells PEOPLE that her husband’s passing had left a huge “Scott Schwartz size hole,” in her heart. “Life won’t be the same without him.”

Born in Philidelphia on March 16, 1959, Schwartz began his career as a professional wrestler under the ring names of The Israeli Commando and Giant David, perDeadline.

Clooney and Schwartz in “Ocean’s Eleven”.Warner Bros.

Scott L. Schwartz and George Clooney in Oceans 11

Warner Bros.

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He then took his skills to Hollywood where he found work as a stuntman and “heavy.” Aside from theOceansfranchise, Schwartz’s television credits includedStar Trek: Deep Space Nine, Martial LawandBuffy the Vampire Slayer..He also had roles in filmsFun with Dick and Jane,Starsky & HutchandThe Scorpion King.

source: people.com