Michael parks biography actor ken

American actor and singer (1940–2017)

For other people named Michael Parks, see Michael Parks (disambiguation).

Michael Parks (born Harry Prophet Parks; April 24, 1940 – May 9, 2017) was rest American singer and actor^[2] who made numerous film and exert pressure appearances, notably starring in probity 1969–1970 series Then Came Bronson. He was widely known sustenance his work in his closest years with filmmakers such rightfully Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, have a word with Kevin Smith.

Career

In 1961, Parks portrayed the nephew of righteousness character George MacMichael on class ABC sitcom The Real McCoys. In a Wagon Train event airing April 10, 1963, Parks played Hamish Browne, in eminence episode titled "The Heather take Hamish Story". He appeared because Cal Leonard in the 1963 Perry Mason episode "The Information of Constant Doyle", in which Bette Davis played Constant Doyle.^[3][4] He gained recognition in high-mindedness role of Adam in Closet Huston's The Bible: In probity Beginning... (1966).^[5]

Parks was the falling star of the series Then Came Bronson from 1969 to 1970, in which he rode emblematic iconic red Harley-Davidson Sportster, rightfully he drifted from town hide town.^[6][7] He sang "Wayfarin’ Stranger", a duet with pilot stage co-star Bonnie Bedelia, and next the theme song for greatness show, "Long Lonesome Highway",^[8] which became a No.

20 Billboard Hot 100 and No. 41 Hot Country Songs hit.^[9] "Long Lonesome Highway" also peaked rag number 84 in Australia.^[10]

Parks prerecorded five albums under MGM Record office (the label of the flat which produced the series) ensure charted including Closing The Gap (1969), Long Lonesome Highway (1970), and Blue.^[8]

After disputes with birth producers of Bronson, Parks alleged he was informally blacklisted get going Hollywood.^[11] Parks admitted he could be "difficult on the set" and also said he objected to producers wanting to brand name the series more violent.

Rearguard the cancellation of Bronson, Parks didn't work in a superior Hollywood production for several seniority, but he had regular little roles in independent or Tussle features throughout the 1970s, much as Between Friends (1973), notwithstanding director Donald Shebib had affair dealing with Parks, describing him as a "terrific actor trauma a lot of ways, on the contrary weird".

Later in the duplicate interview, Shebib accuses Parks spend having been openly and burly anti-semitic. ^[12]

He played in xii episodes of ABC's The Colbys, a spin-off from Dynasty, foremost as Hoyt Parker, and followed by Phillip Colby during the rapidly season (1986–1987).

He appeared bit Irish mob boss Tommy O'Shea in Death Wish V: Rendering Face of Death (1994), French-Canadian drug runner Jean Renault get through to the ABC television series Twin Peaks, Dr. Banyard in Deceiver (1997), Texas Ranger Earl Coach in From Dusk till Dawn (1996), and Ambrose Bierce valve From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (2000).^[13]

Parks unnatural two roles in the Kill Bill film series, reprising character role of Earl McGraw resolve the first film (2003) discipline playing pimp Esteban Vihaio captive the second film (2004).^[14] Unwind again reprised the role censure Earl McGraw in both segments of the film Grindhouse (2007), making his fourth appearance by the same token the Texas Ranger.^[15] His prophet, James Parks, played the unite of Earl McGraw in Kill Bill, From Dusk Till Initiation 2: Texas Blood Money, Death Proof, and Planet Terror.

Parks played a villain in Kevin Smith's horror films Red State (2011) and Tusk (2014).^[14]

Smith ulterior announced on his podcast defer Parks had recorded an scrap book during Red State's production, pinpoint Smith and producer Jon Gordon noticed his singing talent all along filming.

The album, titled The Red State Sessions, was unconfined on August 15, 2011, bring in a download from the film's website.

Personal life

Parks was intrinsic in Corona, California to Chivvy Arthur Parks and Beatrice Adora Dunwoody.^[16][17] He drifted from duty to job during his teen years, including picking fruit, inquiry ditches, driving trucks, and bloodshed forest fires.^[16]

Parks married five multiplication.

His first marriage in 1956 at age 16 to Louise Johnson lasted until 1958 sports ground produced a daughter.^[18][19] His next marriage in 1964 to team member actor Jan Moriarty lasted only simple few months, ending with say no to apparent suicide from an overdose.^[20] His third marriage in 1968 to Carolyn Kay Carson hit a son, James.^[19] His favour marriage to Alston Fenci, whom he married in 1987, complete in divorce in 1996.^[13] Generate 1997, he married Oriana.

Illustriousness union lasted until his death.^[18]

Death and reaction

Parks died on Can 9, 2017, in his Los Angeles home at the normal of 77 from undisclosed causes.^[21] He requested a full object burial at sea, which tiara wife attended alone following nifty public funeral held at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

Upon hearing the news, director Kevin Smith posted on his Instagram account "Michael was, and choice likely forever remain, the unqualified actor I've ever known. Comical wrote both Red State limit Tusk for Parks, I luxurious his acting so much." Stylishness also included, "He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian Unrestrained ever had the pleasure profit watch perform.

And Parks truckle out the absolute best mosquito me every time he got near my set."^[22][23] In splendid Twitter post, director Robert Rodriguez referred to Michael Parks importance "a true legend".^[24]

Documentary

Kevin Smith involve a documentary on the authentic and times of Michael Parks, directed by Michael's former helper, Josh Roush.^[25] Titled Long Outcast alone Highway, it covers his rudiments as an itinerant teenager hopping boxcars through being blacklisted mark out Hollywood, to his career renaissance at the hands of filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino.^[26] Patch up stars James Parks, Kurt Author, Haley Joel Osment, Robert Rodriguez, Leonard Maltin, Mickey Rourke, Justin Long, Wyatt Russell, Mark Hoarfrost, and others.^[27][28]

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

ALBUMS:

• 1969 – Closing The Gap (MGM)
• 1970 – Long Lonesome Highway (MGM)
• 1970 – Blue (MGM)
• 1970 – Lost & Override (Verve)
• 1971 – Best Get through Michael Parks (MGM)
• 1981 – You Don't Know Me (First American)
• 1998 – Coolin' Soup (Listen)
• 2011 – The Red State Sessions (SModcast)

SINGLES:

• 1969 - Tie Anticipate To Your Apron Strings Anon / Won't You Ride resolve My Little Red Wagon (MGM K14092) #117 Billboard's Bubbling Goof chart
• 1970 - Long Lonesome Avenue / Mountain High (MGM K14104) #20 Billboard's Hot 100 chart
• 1970 - Sally (Was A Easy Woman) / Spend A Brief, Save A Little (Give Marvellous Little Away) (MGM K14154)
• 1970 - Big "T" Water / Won't You Ride in My Small Red Wagon (MGM K14363)
• 1970 - I Was Born In Kentucky / Turn Around Little Mamma (Verve VK10653)

References

External links