Only Michael Parks could have delivered the line "Is man indeed a walrus at heart?" Actor Michael Parks, who found fame in 1960s countercultural roles and became a favorite of directors including Quentin Tarantino, died Tuesday. Michael Parks, longtime Hollywood mainstay and beloved character actor and singer, has passed away at the age of 77. His response was to go to Mexico and chop wood for a living. From 1969 to 1970 he starred as a motorcycle-riding hero in Then Came Bronson,and even sang the theme song for the show, Long Lonesome Highway,which was a hit on the Billboard and Hot Country Songs charts, she said. Fourteen months later, Mike turns up in Lebanon, Tennessee . He made his on-screen debut in 1990 in the Gerald McRaney TV movie Blind Vengeance. His. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Tarantino cast him in multiple roles in both parts of "Kill Bill" and his "Death Proof" half of 2007's "Grindhouse." Sometimes, the characters followed Parks from filmmaker to filmmaker. Browning made his directorial debut with 1973s sea lion movie Salty, and he notably also co-created the classic Flipper franchise. The characters usually serve as a form of comic relief, and in the Grindhouse films, Earl has a daughter named Dakota who is introduced and plays a large role in Robert Rodriguezs zombie film, Planet Terror. Smith gave Parks the largest roles of the trio, including his 2014 film "Tusk," which paired him with Johnny Depp, and 2011's "Red State," as a preacher. Smith on Wednesday called him "my cinematic muse. He was born in Corona, California and his father was a truck driver. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! James played the role of Mack Rattray on True Blood. His actor son, James Parks, often joined him, playing McGraw's son Edgar. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. My favorite memory of Michael is watching him and #johnnydepp act with and at each other, like a couple of dueling wizards, in their shared scene in Tusk. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor Ive ever known. His last completed film was the crime drama The Queen of Hollywood Blvd (2017). Ricou Browning played the Gill-Man for the films extensive underwater sequences, and he subsequently reprised the iconic role in the sequels Revenge of the Creature (1955) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956). Parks from filmmaker to . I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. It makes you bring your game. He was 77. We send our deepest condolences to his friends, family, and fans. Arlene gets after Jungle Julia for saying that on the air, but she says that if she doesn't do it, everyone will know that she's chicken shit. Actor James Parks (R) and guest attend the world premiere of The Hateful Eight presented by The Weinstein Company at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on December 7, 2015 in Hollywood, California. He could be mean, and people who knew him said [about me], Another James Dean, without even knowing me.. I'll see you fartheralong", Schulman said Parks was known as "an actor's actor by his peers with a breadth of astonishing rangethat has allowed him to portray stunning contrasts sometimes in the same film, likein2014'sTusk, starring in dual roles as an erudite serial killer opposite Justin Longand as a feeble rube opposite Johnny Depp.". In addition to Kill Bill, Parks worked with Tarantino on 2012'sDjango Unchainedand2007's Death Proof. All Rights Reserved. In middle age he was adopted as something of a mascot by the hip directors Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez and Kevin Smith. Days later, the crew offered Browning the role of the titular Gill-man in the film Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).. He was hands-down the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. His recurring role as Earl McGraw, a character he first played in the opening scene of From Dusk Till Dawn, is probably the role for which he is known best. Smith directed Parks in both his Tusk and Red State, having relished the longtime actors career since first seeing him in Robert Rodriguezs From Dusk Till Dawn. Though Parks career stretched back to 1960, when he made his screen debut on TVs Zane Grey Theater, in recent years, the supporting standout had enjoyed a revival at the hands of both Quentin Tarantino (who Smith deemed Parks biggest fan) and Smith, who continued to craft roles for the singular actor. Many of his early starring roles were in anti-establishment '60s-era films such as "Wild Seed," ''The Happening," with Anthony Quinn, and "Bus Riley's Back in Town," alongside Ann-Margret. And he played a villain in Smiths horror films Red State and Tusk. Actor Michael Parks arrives at the premiere of A24's "Tusk" at the Vista Theatre in 2014 in Los Angeles. He. You will be missed. Tarantino cast him in multiple roles in both parts of "Kill Bill" and his "Death Proof" half of 2007's "Grindhouse.". May 10, 2017 / 1:14 PM I saw him in Kevin Smith's Red State as this crazy preacher." Parks recorded a number of albums for MGM, including Closing the Gap and Blue., In recent years, Parks enjoyed quite a resurgence, thanks to the attentions of directors like Smith, Tarantino, and Robert Rodriguez, who frequently cast him in beefy and compelling supporting roles. His first screen roles included playing a nephew named Tom in 1961 on the ABC sitcom The Real McCoys and the role of Park on a 1962 Gunsmoke episode. R.I.P. Only Michael Parks could have delivered the line Is man indeed a walrus at heart? and make it scary as fuck. According to Tarantino, the song is one of the rarest items in his vast music collection. He was 77. Director Kevin Smith, who collaborated with the actor several times in recent years, first broke the news. From Dusk till Dawn actor Michael Parks has died at age 77. "I was so blessed to have worked with this bonafide genius," he wrote. Smith on Wednesday called him "my cinematic muse. Michael Parks, who has died aged 77, was a softly spoken character actor who enjoyed a prolific and chequered film and television career, largely in the exploitation genre. The New York Times remarked on his considerable charm and appeal but complained about his James Dean mannerisms. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Movie Actress His passing on Wednesday was confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by his agent, Jane Schulman of Vesta Talent Agency. His last appearance occurred in a flashback at the end of season 3. As the article shares, Once he made his view felt, both publically and privately, the wrath of Hollywood executives was, according to Parks, quiet yet vitriolic. "He was like James Dean," Affleck told USA TODAY in 2012. In middle age he was. Ill see you farther along #KevinSmith #actor #genius #rip #walrusyes, A post shared by Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) on May 10, 2017 at 8:13am PDT. I was so fucking blessed to have worked with this bonafide genius. According to Schulman, his pre-acting jobs included picking fruit, digging ditches, driving trucks and fighting forest fires. Parks died on May 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, at the age of 77. Parks is survived by his wife, Oriana, whom he married in 1997, and a son, the actor James Parks. He is survived by his wife, Oriana Parks, whom he married in 1997, and his son. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Michael Parks, a character actor best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino movie Kill Bill: Vol. From the moment I saw him steal the opening scene of #fromdusktildawn at an advance screening at the Sunset 5 back in the mid-90s, I said to @samosier Could you imagine what it must be like to work with a Yoda of acting like that guy? Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. While working at Wakulla Springs in 1953, Browning was asked to show around a film crew scouting for shooting locations. Michael Parks . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. or redistributed. In Tarantinos cult-classic film From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money, Parks played Texas Ranger Edgar McGraw. He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. Market data provided by Factset. Dean, to whom he bore some resemblance, was a name routinely invoked by reviewers, and Parks even claimed that the more famous actors reputation for surliness had a bad effect on his own prospects. No cause of death was announced. People died of natural causes, of suicide, and for many, accidents. His death also was announced on social media Wednesday by Parks' Tusk and Red State director, Kevin Smith,who hailed him as his "cinematic muse" and "the best actor I've ever known. I wrote both Red State and Tusk FOR Parks, I loved his acting so much. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I've ever known. A death certificate is a permanent record of an individual's death. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The news was announced by filmmaker Kevin Smith, who took to his Instagram to sharethat the best actor Ive ever known and his cinematic muse, haddied. Fat embolism (2 hours) due to or as a consequence of b. ", A post shared by Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith). A memorial service for Parks will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 1 p.m. at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park, at 1218 Glendon Avenue in Los Angeles. "I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. It's a mindless action film meant solely for Tarantino fans. IE 11 is not supported. In 2015, he booked the role of stagecoach driver O.B. The Son, which can best be described as a western drama, premiered on April 8, 2017, and was developed by Meyer, Brian McGreevy, and Lee Shipman. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Though the fictional father-son duo of Earl and Edgar McGraw was killed off From Dusk Till Dawn, it has returned in several other films by Rodriguez and Tarantino, like Kill Bill: Volume 1 and several Grindhouse projects. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The Weird Walrus Fetish in Kevin Smiths Tusk [Horror Queers Podcast], Kevin Smiths First Horror Movie Red State is Even More Terrifyingly Relevant 10 Years Later, [R.I.P.] He also played an ageing Mexican pimp in Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004). And Parks brought out the absolute best in me every time he got near my set. The news was shared on Instagram Wednesday afternoon by Kevin Smith, who worked with Parks on recent projects like Red State and Tusk. During his busy Hollywood career, Parks appeared in movies by auteur directors like Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez and Kevin Smith, who paid tribute to the veteran actor on Wednesday via Instagram. Parks also starred as a disillusioned, motorcycle-riding newsman in the 1969 series "Then Came Bronson." ", "Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I've ever known," Smith wrote on Instagram. Unwelcome Exclusive Clip Meet the Tiny Goblins in Upcoming Irish Creature Feature! My heart goes out to James (Michael's son), Oriana (Michael's wife), Quentin Tarantino (Michael's biggest fan) and any movie or music lover who was ever dazzled by the talents of Michael Parks. Michael Parks, the veteran Hollywood character actor who appeared in Kill Bill, Django Unchained and Red State, has died. Edgar McGraw: Marley Shelton . He travelled the US on a motorcycle as the hero of the television series Then Came Bronson (1969-70) and scored Billboard chart success with his recording of the theme song, Long Lonesome Highway. Both men are total professionals, he explains. Farewell, old friend. The actor died this morning, though the official cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.. As they enter, Arlene sees a black car stopped in the middle of the street. Michael Parks was also originally supposed to star in Yoga Hosers, but for health reasons, he wasn't able to take the part. In a career that spanned six decades, Parks acted in more than 100 films and TV shows. Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. He was 77. Smith gave Parks the largest roles of the trio, including his 2014 film "Tusk," which paired him with Johnny Depp, and 2011's "Red State," as a preacher. Smith gave Parks the largest roles of the trio, including his 2014 film "Tusk," which paired him with Johnny Depp, and 2011's "Red State," as a preacher. He returned to television in 1973 and appeared occasionally in movies, among them North Sea Hijack (1980) starring Roger Moore, and the thriller Storyville (1992) with James Spader. Since then, hes booked over 60 roles in television and film series. Browning later directed the movie Mr. No Legs (1978), centered on a man with shotguns built into his wheelchair. My favorite memory of Michael is watching him and Johnny Depp act with and at each other, like a couple of dueling wizards, in their shared scene in Tusk. "I couldn't bear to lose it.". Each turned to Parks again and again for meaty supporting roles. 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