Billy Drago
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2019) |
Billy Drago | |
---|---|
Born | William Eugene Burrows Jr. November 30, 1945 Hugoton, Kansas, U.S. |
Died | June 24, 2019 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 73)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1979–2014 |
Spouse | |
Children | Darren E. Burrows (son) |
William Eugene Burrows Jr. (November 30, 1945[1] – June 24, 2019), known professionally by his stage name Billy Drago, was an American television and film actor. Frequently cast in the role of villain, Drago's films included Clint Eastwood's western Pale Rider and Brian De Palma's The Untouchables. He also had recurring roles in the television series The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and Charmed.
Early life and education
Burrows was born in Hugoton, Kansas, the son of William Franklin Burrows Jr, and Gladys Marie Wilcox (1917–1993) on November 30, 1945.[2] He took his grandmother's maiden name as his stage name to keep from being confused with another actor.[3][4][5] Growing up, his parents would drop him off at the movie theater often in their rural town.[6] After high school, he started out as a journalist for the Associated Press and later became a popular voice on radio that took him first to Canada then New York City. After a brief stint with a touring theater group, he worked as a stuntman at Boot Hill in Dodge City, Kansas. From there he went on to the University of Kansas. After finishing college, he joined an acting company.[2][7]
Career
Drago began his acting career in 1979. His early films included No Other Love, Windwalker and the Jeff Bridges vehicle Cutter's Way. He went on to guest star in numerous television series, including: Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting, Walker Texas Ranger and Trapper John, M.D..[8][9]
Drago was perhaps best known for the role of Al Capone's henchman Frank Nitti in Brian De Palma's 1987 film The Untouchables.[10] Subsequently, Drago appeared in numerous films and television roles; the latter list included The X-Files[11] and a recurring role in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.[10][12]
In 1999 he played the demon Barbas in the WB series Charmed. His character was supposed to appear in only one episode, but due to popularity with fans he was brought back for six additional episodes, appearing in five of the show's eight seasons.[11]
His film resume includes Delta Force 2,[10] Tremors 4: The Legend Begins,[10] and Pale Rider.[10] He also was featured in Michael Jackson's 2001 music video "You Rock My World".[citation needed] Drago also played a mysterious stranger who gave a boy a special key in the Mike + The Mechanics music video for "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" in 1985.[citation needed]
Other film roles include Gregg Araki's 2004 film Mysterious Skin,[10] the remake of horror film The Hills Have Eyes,[10] Children of the Corn: Genesis, and Takashi Miike's Masters of Horror episode "Imprint", which Showtime pulled from the air due to "disturbing content."[7][13]
Personal life and death
Drago was married to actress Silvana Gallardo from 1980 until her death in 2012.[4] He had two sons, including actor Darren E. Burrows.[12]
Drago died in Los Angeles on June 24, 2019 from complications of a stroke.[3][14]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1979 | No Other Love | Brian | TV movie |
1980 | Windwalker | Crow Scout | |
1981 | Cutter's Way | Garbage Man | |
1982 | Johnny Belinda | Cutter | TV movie |
1984 | Hunter | Roscoe Ganther | Episode: Pen "Pals" |
1985 | Pale Rider | Deputy Mather | |
Invasion U.S.A. | Mickey | ||
Moonlighting | Gangster in Leather Coat | Episode: "My Fair David" | |
1986 | Hunter | LeClair | Episode: "War Zone" |
North and South, Book II | Rat | TV mini-series | |
Vamp | Snow | ||
Hunter's Blood | Snake | ||
1987 | In Self Defense | Edward Reeves | TV movie |
The Untouchables | Frank Nitti | ||
Banzai Runner | Syszek | ||
1988 | Hero and the Terror | Dr. Highwater | |
Freeway | Edward Anthony Heller | ||
Dark Before Dawn | Cabalista Leader | ||
Friday the 13th: the Series | Edgar van Horne | Episode: "Read My Lips" | |
1989 | True Blood | Billy 'Spider' Masters | |
China White | Scalia | ||
Prime Suspect | Cyril | ||
1990 | Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection | Ramon Cota | |
1991 | Diplomatic Immunity | Cowboy | |
Martial Law 2: Undercover | Captain Krantz | ||
1992 | Secret Games | Mark Langford | |
Death Ring | Danton Vachs | ||
Guncrazy | Hank Fulton | ||
1993 | Lady Dragon | Diego | |
The Outfit | Lucky Luciano | ||
Deadly Heroes | Jose Maria Carlos | ||
Cyborg 2 | Danny Bench | ||
1993–1994 | The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. | John Bly | TV Series, 6 episodes |
1994 | Never Say Die | Reverend James | |
The Takeover | Daniel Stein | ||
1995 | Lunarcop | Kay | |
Phoenix | Kilgore | ||
Mirror, Mirror III: The Voyeur | Anthony | ||
Drifting School | Thomas King | ||
1996 | Blood Money | Agent Pierce | |
Mad Dog Time | Wells | ||
Sci-Fighters | Adrian Dunn | ||
Blue Devil, Blue Devil | Macintower | ||
1997 | Assault on Devil's Island | Carlos Gallindo | |
Convict 762 | Mannix | ||
A Doll in the Dark | Keith | ||
1998 | Monkey Business | Branson | |
1999 | Soccer Dog: The Movie | Damon Fleming, The Dog Catcher | |
Lima: Breaking the Silence | General Monticito Frantacino | ||
1999–2004 | Charmed | Barbas | TV Series, 7 episodes |
2000 | The X-Files | Orel Peattie | Episode: "Theef" |
Very Mean Men | Dante | ||
Mirror, Mirror IV: Reflection | Frederick Champion | ||
2001 | Death Game | Shakes Montrose | |
2002 | Desert Rose | ||
The Circuit | Lenny | ||
Welcome to America | Crazy Old Man | ||
2004 | Tremors 4: The Legend Begins | Black Hand Kelly | |
Fort Doom | Mr. Fallow | ||
Mysterious Skin | Zeke | ||
2005 | Demon Hunter | Asmodeus | |
Blood Relic | Harry | ||
2006 | Masters of Horror | Christopher | Episode: "Imprint" |
Seven Mummies | Drake | ||
The Hills Have Eyes | Papa Jupiter | ||
Soul Searchers | |||
Lime Salted Love | Zephyr's Stepdad | ||
2007 | El Muerto | The Old Indian | |
Moving McAllister | The Lady | ||
Revamped | Vladimus | ||
Zombie Hunters | Dr. Frankfurt | ||
2008 | Supernatural | Doc Benton | Episode: "Time Is on My Side" |
Copperhead | Jesse Evans | TV movie | |
Rounds | Edward | ||
2009 | Dark Moon Rising | Thibodeaux | |
Ghost Town | Reb Halland | TV movie | |
The Ritual | The Man in Black | ||
2010 | Downstream | Edward | |
2011 | Children of the Corn: Genesis | Preacher | |
Balls to the Wall | Belthagor | ||
2013 | Night of the Templar | Shauna the Chef | |
2014 | Low Down | Lew | |
The Dance | The Stranger |
References
- ^ Lemonides, Alex (June 28, 2019). "Billy Drago, a Villain in Movies and on TV, Is Dead at 73". The New York Times. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Roffman, Michael (June 26, 2019). "R.I.P. Billy Drago, iconic character actor and The Untouchables villain, has died at 73". Yahoo! News. United States: Oath Inc.(Verizon Communications). Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "Billy Drago, Actor in 'The Untouchables,' Dies at 73". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles: Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group (Valence Media). June 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Haring, Bruce. "Billy Drago Dies: Hollywood 'Bad Guy' Character Actor Was 73". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ Yasharoff, Hannah (June 27, 2019). "Reports: Billy Drago, actor in 1987 gangster movie 'The Untouchables,' dies at 73". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ Boucher, Ashley (June 26, 2019). "Billy Drago, Best Known for His Villainous Role in The Untouchables, Dead at 73". People. United States: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ a b Williams, Owen (2011-11-18). "Interview: "I've been killed by great people!" – Billy Drago in conversation". The Void. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ "Billy Drago Filmography". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ The Sun (June 27, 2019). "'The Untouchables,' 'Hills Have Eyes' star Billy Drago dead at 73". Fox News. Fox Corporation. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Canby, Vincent (June 3, 1987). "The Untouchables (1987) FILM: DeNIRO IN THE UNTOUCHABLES". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ a b Colburn, Randall (June 27, 2019). "R.I.P. Billy Drago, Untouchables villain and prolific character actor". The AV Club. Chicago: The Onion, Inc. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ a b Christian Long (26 June 2019). "Effortlessly menacing character actor Billy Drago dies at 73". SyfyWire. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ Collis, Clark (June 26, 2019). "Billy Drago, star of The Untouchables and Charmed, dies at age 73". Entertainment Weekly. United States: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ Saperstein, Pat (June 27, 2019). "Billy Drago, 'Untouchables' Star, Dies at 73". Variety. United States: Variety Media, LLC. (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved June 27, 2019.