DONALD GIBB | 1954-2026
'Revenge of the Nerds' actor Donald Gibb, a former UNM basketball player, dies at 71
Actor and athlete had lasting ties to New Mexico
Donald Gibb, a towering actor whose most famous roles came in 鈥淩evenge of the Nerds鈥� and 鈥淏loodsport,鈥� died Tuesday. He was 71.
Gibb鈥檚 death was first .
His most famous acting role was in 1984鈥檚 鈥淩evenge of the Nerds,鈥� where he played the football player Ogre. He also portrayed the fighter Ray Jackson in 1988鈥檚 鈥淏loodsport.鈥� He spent much of the 1980s and 1990s in guest roles on various TV shows.
Gibb, who attended the 2024 Duke City Comic Con in Albuquerque, has deep connections to New Mexico. He played basketball for the University of New Mexico and coach Norm Ellenberger during the 1972-73 season.
鈥淚t was great,鈥� he told the Journal ahead of the 2024 Comic Con. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e on the team, you are treated like royalty, and I had the best time.鈥�
Gibb is tied for the highest career field-goal percentage in Lobo basketball history at 100%. He was 2-for-2 all-time.
After his freshman season at UNM, the 6-foot-4 Gibb transferred to the University of San Diego to play football and basketball. He played briefly for the San Diego Chargers before suffering an injury in an automobile crash, which led him to turn to acting.
When Gibb returned to Albuquerque in 2024, he reminisced about filming a few projects in the state.
鈥淚鈥檝e really been able to feel at home,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 remember when I was there playing basketball, Rio Rancho was in its infancy. We used to run in the Sandia Mountains for practice. It鈥檚 all changed so much, but the heart is still there.鈥�
Gibb was born in New York City and raised in California.
