Michael Parks, longtime Hollywood mainstay and beloved character actor and singer, has passed away at the age of 77. His agent, Jane Schulman of Vesta. ", "I wrote both #RedState and @tuskthemovie FOR Parks," he wrote in an Instagram post. As they enter, Arlene sees a black car stopped in the middle of the street. He died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, his agent, Jane Schulman, said on Wednesday. He had a successful music career, recording a series of albums in the late 1960s and early 70s and appearing on the Johnny Cash Show. Michael Parks, a veteran character actor memorable in a long career of quirky and award-winning films and TV shows, died Tuesday. We send our deepest condolences to his friends, family, and fans. She said he was in more than 100 films and TV shows over a 50-year career, starting as a contract player in 1961 in the ABC sitcom The Real McCoys. No cause of death was announced. 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). If they do all that and call her "butterfly," then Arlene will give them a lap dance. 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. And also kind. Kevin Smith paid tribute to his friend on Facebook today, echoing Tarantinos sentiments: I hate to report that my cinematic muse Michael Parkshas passed away. Veteran actor Michael Parks, a favorite of directors like Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday, his agent confirmed. Weve lost another true legend in the world of horror. He elevated any flick or TV show he was in and elevated every director he ever acted for. 2, as well as in Grindhousefilms Planet Terror and Death Proof Quentin Tarantino has stated on the record that Parks was the greatest living actor of his time. And thats really rare you know, the talent, the level of work. Apart from acting, he writes for film and movie events for television. He is survived by his wife, Oriana Parks, whom he married in 1997, and his son. 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. His. RIP, Michael Parks. FILE - In this Sept 16, 2014 file photo, Michael Parks arrives at the LA Premiere Of "Tusk" in Los Angeles. Some view him as a dangerous racist who should be avoided, while others consider him a friend, whose interests align with their own. 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Ready for Tolkien Battle, How the Landscape of Native-Led Stories Has Changed Between Avatars: Were Flexing Our Sovereignty, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. They cheer every time they see a billboard with Jungle Julia on it. "I wrote both 'Red State' and 'Tusk' for Parks, I loved his acting so much. Other noteworthy performances from Michael Parks include his work in Argo, Twin Peaks and Walker Texas Ranger. In 2015, he booked the role of stagecoach driver O.B. Days later, the crew offered Browning the role of the titular Gill-man in the film Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).. Into the 70s and 80s, Michael Parks starred in Between Friends, Baretta, Fantasy Island, Dial M for Murder and The Return of Josey Wales, and he later played Jean Renault in David Lynchs Twin Peaks. But Parks was introduced to an entirely new generation when he played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in From Dusk Till Dawn, a memorable role he reprised in both Kill Bill Vol. Michael Parks as a menacing preacher in the film Red State, 2011, directed by Kevin Smith, who considered Parks to be the best actor he had ever known. The same charges were levelled at his performance in The Idol (1966), a melodrama in which he played a young man who seduces his friends mother (Jennifer Jones). Ill see you farther along. 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. You like cool music, cool films and cool people. 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. I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. On the small screen, hes perhaps most known for playing the free spirited Jim Bronson in the TV series Then Came Bronson, which aired for just one seasonbetween 1969 and 1970. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Each turned to Parks again and again for meaty supporting roles. Michael Parks, a prolific character actor who found early fame in 1960s countercultural roles and later became a favorite of directors including Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, has died. In Austin, Texas, the girlfriends Julia, Arlene and Shanna meet in a bar to drink, smoke and make out with their boyfriends before traveling alone to Lake LBJ to spend the weekend together. James Parks, Michael Parks Son: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. He was 77. 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 Mr. Parks from filmmaker to . Parks is survived by his wife, Oriana, whom he married in 1997, and a son, the actor James Parks. The characters father, Earl McGraw, was played by his real-life father. He was 77. 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. No cause of death was named. Both roles were written especially for him by Smith, who said: He will take a page of dialogue and deliver it in a different way than anybody else., Parks had appeared earlier as the mobster and drug-runner Jean Renault in David Lynchs cult television series Twin Peaks (199091), but his career resurgence really began after a scene-stealing appearance in the vampire movie From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), directed by Rodriguez and written by Tarantino, who also starred in the film alongside George Clooney. The actor quickly went from being one of the most sought after actors in the industry to not finding acting work for four years after Bronsons abrupt cancellation. 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.". Legal Statement. You're a cool bloke. Parks also starred as a disillusioned, motorcycle-riding newsman in the 1969 series "Then Came Bronson." It wasnt until this film that I got to really be around him all the time., He also says that both Kurt Russell and Samuel L. Jackson were a joy to work with and complete professionals on set. Most of his work, including a recurring role on the Dynasty spin-off The Colbys (1987), was confined to television, at least until Rodriguez and Tarantino revived interest in him. He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. One purpose of the death certificate is to obtain a simple description of the sequence or process leading to death rather than a record describing all medical conditions present at death. 2 and Kevin Smith film Tusk, died Tuesday at age 77.No cause of death was announced. Capsules Trailer Flatliners Meets Limitless in Drug Trip Horror Movie [Exclusive], Haunted Mansion Poster First Look at Disneys New Movie Ahead of Trailer Debut Tomorrow. Read on to learn more about 48-year-old James Parks. Mack, a drug dealer specializing in Vampire Blood, made his debut in Strange Love and met his demise in The First Date. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Genre actor and Quentin Tarantino favorite Michael Parks has passed away at the age of 77. In Tarantinos cult-classic film From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money, Parks played Texas Ranger Edgar McGraw. Bloody Disgusting has learned today that Ricou Browning, known for playing the titular Creature from the Black Lagoon in Universals original 1954 horror classic, has passed away this week at the age of 93. Shanna and Arlene pick up their DJ friend, Jungle Julia (Sydney Poitier), and they drive around while talking about boys and drugs. The actor died this morning, though the official cause of his death has not yet been confirmed. "I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. 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. On AMCs The Son, James plays the recurring role of Niles Gilbert. From Dusk till Dawn actor Michael Parks has died at age 77. Parks also starred as a disillusioned, motorcycle-riding newsman in the 1969 series "Then Came Bronson." Tarantino cast him in multiple roles in both parts of "Kill Bill" and his "Death Proof" half of 2007's "Grindhouse.". 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. The Blackening Trailer Horror-Comedy Spoofs Slasher Tropes from a Black Perspective, Agent Elvis Trailer Elvis Gets Bloody in Netflixs Adult Animated Series on March 17th, From Season 2 Teaser Trailer Critically Acclaimed Series Returns to MGM+ in April. She said that she was going out with her friends that night, and if anyone sees Arlene, then they should approach her and give her a drink. 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. ", Parks found perhaps his most famous parts in the 1990s thanks to the interest of Tarantino, Smith and Robert Rodriguez, the often connected independent filmmakers. Has four awesome cats. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. Only Michael Parks could have delivered the line "Is man indeed a walrus at heart?" The slight plot for this self-indulgent cult film has a maniac middle-aged stuntman driver trying to kill hot young girls with his heavy-duty equipped specialty car. Fat embolism (2 hours) due to or as a consequence of b. They meet the former Hollywood stuntman Mike, who takes Pam out in his "death-proof" stunt car. Still plays with toys. 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? 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