The actor died this morning, though the official cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.. The New York Times remarked on his considerable charm and appeal but complained about his James Dean mannerisms. Michael Parks, the brooding actor who broke through as television's first easy rider on Then Came Bronson and resurrected by David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert Rodriguez as an icon of . Browning worked at Wakulla Springs in the 1940s and learned to perform in underwater newsreels conceived by Newt Perry, who later took Browning along when he opened Weeki Wachee Springs. Farewell, old friend. 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. Actor James Parks attends the 19th Annual Hollywood Film Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 1, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. Parks movie credits included Ben Afflecks Argo, the horror/crime hybrid From Dusk Till Dawn and dual roles in the Kill Bill franchise as Texan Ranger Earl McGraw in the first film and Esteban Vihaio in the sequel. He was hands-down the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Shanna and Arlene pick up their DJ friend, Jungle Julia (Sydney Poitier), and they drive around while talking about boys and drugs. Over the four years it was on air, the HBO series garnered a handful of awards Anna Paquin, who played the lead, earned a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, and was nominated for a Saturn Award. They go to a local bar named Gueros. In a career that spanned six decades, Parks acted in more than 100 films and TV shows. Each turned to Parks again and again for meaty supporting roles. John Huston directed Parks as Adam in The Bible (also 1966); in the same year, Parks was said to be one of the pall-bearers at Lenny Bruces funeral. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. In an interview with ScreenSlam, James spoke about what it was like scoring the role, describing it as an exceptional moment., He also reveals that it wasnt until The Hateful Eight that he really got know Tarantino well and begin to fully understand his process. His. Parks is survived by his son James and his wife Oriana. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. It's a mindless action film meant solely for Tarantino fans. FILE - In this Sept 16, 2014 file photo, Michael Parks arrives at the LA Premiere Of "Tusk" in Los Angeles. He was 77. This time, three young women, Abernathy, Zo and Kim, have caught the eye of the maniacal misogynist, who has decided to play a thrilling but dangerous cat-and-mouse game. 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. He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. From the moment I saw him steal the opening scene of #fromdusktildawn at an advance screening at the Sunset 5 back in the mid-90's, I said to @samosier "Could you imagine what it must be like to work with a Yoda of acting like that guy? Weve lost another true legend in the world of horror. His other TV series included David Lynch'sTwin Peaks in the 1990sand the Dynasty spinoffThe Colbys in the 1980s. In the drama Bus Rileys Back in Town (1965), he played the title character, a young navy veteran struggling with civilian life. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The opening titles come up as Shanna (Jordan Ladd) and Arlene (Vanessa Ferlito) drive around in their car. Parks also appeared in Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning Argo. 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. He elevated any flick or TV show he was in and elevated every director he ever acted for. Though the star overcame a horrific childhood and rose to fame with his direction of Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven, his dark demons never left him. They meet the former Hollywood stuntman Mike, who takes Pam out in his "death-proof" stunt car. You like cool music, cool films and cool people. He is survived by his wife, Oriana Parks, and his son, actor James Parks. Covertly tracking their moves is Stuntman Mike, a scarred rebel leering from behind the wheel of his muscle car, revving just feet away. Parks starred on Then Came Bronson, appeared on legal dramas like Perry Mason and Sam Benedict and had roles on the Dynasty spinoff series The Colbys and David Lynchs Twin Peaks, where he played the Canadian drug runner Jean Renault. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor Ive ever known. ", Michael Parks and his son James Parks perform in 2003 in "Kill Bill. While working at Wakulla Springs in 1953, Browning was asked to show around a film crew scouting for shooting locations. You would roll the cameras and watch the magic happen.. 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. He then went on to work steadily, in projects like Wild Seed, The Bible: In the Beginning, and movies like The Return of Josey Wales, which he starred in and directed. Michael Parks . ", "I wrote both #RedState and @tuskthemovie FOR Parks," he wrote in an Instagram post. 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. She noted he was a friend to such varied celebrities as Jean Renoir,Johnny Cashand Lenny Bruce, for whom he was a pallbearer. I'll see you farther along #KevinSmith #actor #genius #rip #walrusyes". I was so fucking blessed to have worked with this bonafide genius. (Getty). 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. A death certificate is a permanent record of an individual's death. Here's what Kevin Smith had to say about the late actor in his Instagram post. RIP, Michael Parks. 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. . Each turned to Parks again and again for meaty supporting roles. Parks was born in Corona, Calif., on April 24, 1940. (Getty). 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. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor Ive ever known. 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 (Getty) Veteran actor Michael Parks, known for his roles in the " Kill Bill " series, the 1990 TV series " Twin Peaks " and " Tusk " died at the age of 77 on Tuesday. I was so fucking blessed to have worked with this bonafide genius. or redistributed. Browning later directed the movie Mr. No Legs (1978), centered on a man with shotguns built into his wheelchair. Actor James Parks attends AMCs The SON premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on April 3, 2017 in Hollywood, California. For the first five seasons, it received critical acclaim, but when showrunner Alan Ball was replaced, its ratings started to dip. He made his on-screen debut in 1990 in the Gerald McRaney TV movie Blind Vengeance. Rosario Dawson - Abernathy. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. All rights reserved. ", 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. It stars Pierce Brosnan as Eli McCullough, a cattle baron who befriends Niles over the course of the series. Parks was in Heaven that day, sharing the screen with another brilliant actor and creating an unforgettable performance. As they enter, Arlene sees a black car stopped in the middle of the street. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Fourteen months after escaping charges in Austin, Texas, the grizzled Hollywood stunt double, Mike McKay, ditches his black, souped-up 1970 Chevy Nova SS, and finds himself in Lebanon, Tennessee, to pick up where he left off. / CBS San Francisco. Brian G. Huttons 1965 romantic drama, Wild Seed, which cast him as a mysterious, but good-hearted drifter. 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. Christopher Big Black Boykin Cause of Death: How Did He Die? Parks also starred as a disillusioned, motorcycle-riding newsman in the 1969 series "Then Came Bronson." I gotta write for him one day. It took me 15 years but my dream came true on Red State for which Parks won Best Actor at the Sitges Film Festival and then again years later with Tusk. Farewell, old friend. Death Proof (2007) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. 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. Legal Statement. 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. You're a cool bloke. For the series, Parks, who recorded a number of albums throughout his career, sang the popular closing theme song, "Long Lonesome Highway. "He's sexy and amazing and a really good actor. Michael Parks, a prolific character actor and a favorite of directors Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, died Tuesday, May 10, 2017 in Los Angeles. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, He also played an ageing Mexican pimp in Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004). In a career that spanned six decades, Parks acted in more than 100 films and TV shows. Like his father, James has worked with many famous film directors like Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and David Lynch. Wikipedia details Brownings interesting career trajectory, Browning started a career in water shows, moving on to produce shows. He played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in Rodriguez's "From Dusk Till Dawn," a role he reprised in "Kill Bill" and "Grindhouse." Michael Parks, a veteran character actor memorable in a long career of quirky and award-winning films and TV shows, died Tuesday. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I've ever known. 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. For the series, Parks, who recorded a number of albums throughout his career, sang the popular closing theme song, "Long Lonesome Highway. He was hands-down the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. (Getty). According to the characters bio on AMCs website, Niles is a down-on-his-luck bar owner whose also a passionate member of the Law & Order league, which eventually turns into the Ku Klux Klan. In 1986, he directed himself as Josey Wales in the The Return of Josey Wales, his only directorial credit. Edgar McGraw: Marley Shelton . more on this quote . Jackson in Quentin Tarantinos The Hateful Eight. Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. Sometimes, the characters followed Parks from filmmaker to filmmaker. 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. According to Tarantino, the song is one of the rarest items in his vast music collection. Harry Samuel (Michael) Parks, actor, born 24 April 1940; died 9 May 2017, Actor likened to James Dean in his youth who was adopted in middle age by hip directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. You will be redirected back to your article in, Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. But really, I was just lucky to have known him at all. And Parks brought out the absolute best in me every time he got near my set. 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. In middle age he was. ", He played the Canadian drug runner Jean Renault on David Lynch's "Twin Peaks. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Parks robust television career continued long into the 80s and 90s,most notably witha role on the Dynasty spinoff The Colbys and a second-season stint on Twin Peaks., Parks was also an accomplished and lauded singer, whosang the theme song for the show Long Lonesome Highway, which became a #20 Billboard Hot 100 and #41 Hot Country Songs hit. According to Schulman, his pre-acting jobs included picking fruit, digging ditches, driving trucks and fighting forest fires. There is no specific cause of his death. 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. 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. Trucks and fighting forest fires record of an individual & # x27 ; death. 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