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Jan-Michael Vincent

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Jan-Michael Vincent
Born(1945-07-15)July 15, 1945
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
DiedFebruary 10, 2019(2019-02-10) (aged 73)
Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
Other namesJan Michael Vincent
Michael Vincent
Mike Vincent
OccupationActor
Years active1965–2003
Spouses
  • Bonnie Poorman
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1968; div. 1977)​
  • Joanne Robinson
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1986; div. 1999)​
  • Patricia Ann Christ
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2000)​
Children1

Jan-Michael Vincent (July 15, 1945 – February 10, 2019) was an American screen actor widely known for his role as helicopter pilot Stringfellow Hawke on the television series Airwolf (1984–86) and as the protagonist, Matt Johnson, of the 1978 film Big Wednesday.

Early life

Vincent was born in Denver, Colorado to Doris Jane (née Pace) and Lloyd Whiteley Vincent.[1] He attended elementary and high school in Hanford, California where he graduated in 1963. Vincent went to Ventura College for three years. He has said, "I would have completed college, but the registration clerk literally shut the window in his face for the lunch hour and Vincent instead took his $200 and went to Mexico to party." Vincent finished a tour of duty in the California Army National Guard by 1967.[2][3]

Career

Early career

Vincent had his first acting job in 1967 in The Bandits, starring and co-directed by Robert Conrad.[3] Also in 1967, he was in the made-for-TV-movie The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk.[4] In the late 1960s, Vincent was signed to Universal Studios and appeared in several television series.[3] He made an appearance on the Dragnet 1968 episode "The Grenade" as a muscular high school student who suffered an acid attack by a mentally unstable classmate (played by Mickey Sholdar). Vincent also appeared in the Danger Island segments of Hanna-Barbera's The Banana Splits series as Link (1968–69). His first starring role was in the fall of 1969 in the prime-time soap opera The Survivors, alongside Lana Turner and George Hamilton; the series was canceled mid-season.[4]

Vincent also was in several movies in the late 1960s, Twentieth Century Fox movie The Undefeated (as Bubba Wilkes) starring John Wayne, Rock Hudson, and Antonio Aguilar. His name appeared as Michael Vincent in the credits of the movie. Vincent guest-starred in three episodes of Lassie with actor Tony Dow and two episodes of Bonanza.[2][3]

In 1970, Vincent garnered critical praise for his role in the made-for-TV film Tribes (also known as The Soldier Who Declared Peace in Europe and the UK), co-starring Darren McGavin, about a tough Marine boot-camp drill instructor dealing with a hippie draftee (Vincent) who will not follow the rules. He gave a complex performance opposite Robert Mitchum in Going Home ('71). That same year, he appeared in the Gunsmoke episode "The Legend". In 1972, he co-starred with Charles Bronson in the crime film The Mechanic and a made-for-TV love story Sandcastles. In 1973 he starred in the Disney comedy The World's Greatest Athlete with Tim Conway and John Amos. He played Richie, an alcoholic teen in a 1973 episode of Marcus Welby, M.D., "Catch a Ring That Isn't There".

Vincent also starred in the 1974 romance Buster and Billie as the antihero Buster Lane, where he startled audiences with his full-frontal nudity. In 1975's Bite the Bullet, he played opposite Gene Hackman, James Coburn, and Candice Bergen. He also starred in the trucker movie White Line Fever ('75); in 1976's Baby Blue Marine, a war film directed by John D. Hancock, which also starred Glynnis O'Connor; and in 1976's Shadow of the Hawk co-starring Marilyn Hassett. Vincent also appeared in Damnation Alley, based on Roger Zelazny's science fiction novel, in 1977. Two more notable 1978 appearance were the surfing film Big Wednesday with William Katt and Gary Busey, and Hooper with Burt Reynolds, in which Vincent played a young stuntman.

1980s

In 1980, Vincent starred in the gang-themed drama Defiance, which received a limited release. In that film, he and Danny Aiello co-star as Manhattan residents who fight back against the gang members who terrorize their neighborhood. He also appeared in The Return, a science-fiction film that was released directly to television and video. In 1981, he co-starred with Kim Basinger in Hard Country. Vincent starred in the 1983 action film Last Plane Out.

After the completion of his role in the 1983 television miniseries Winds of War, Vincent was cast as Stringfellow Hawke for the action–espionage series Airwolf, in which he co-starred with Ernest Borgnine and is the role for which he is best known and remembered. It was noted at the time that Vincent's salary for his work on Airwolf was $200,000 per episode, the highest of any actor in American television.[5][6] While filming Airwolf, Vincent admitted to drug and alcohol problems for which he acknowledged seeking help. After Airwolf ended, he found roles in smaller budget and lower exposure film projects.

Later career

Vincent worked with Traci Lords in the 1991 suspense film Raw Nerve. He also co-starred with Clint Howard in the 1996 black comedy/horror film Ice Cream Man, which had very limited theatrical release but did eventually reach cult status via home video as an unintentional comedy.[citation needed] In 1994, he played in a South African produced movie called Ipi Tombi produced and directed by Tommie Meyer based on a musical by Bertha Egnos[7] While in the hospital in 1996, Vincent was committed to a role in Red Line with Chad McQueen as Keller. He appeared in the film with a swollen face and scars, and still wearing his hospital ID bracelet. In 1997, he had a small guest role on Nash Bridges, playing the title character's long-lost brother, and in 1998 he had a cameo in the independent film Buffalo '66.[8] His last role was in the independent film White Boy, also titled Menace (for the U.S. video version), released in March 2003.[9]

Personal life and death

Vincent married Bonnie Poorman in 1968 and they had a daughter, Amber Vincent, in 1972.[10][11] Their divorce was finalized on January 2, 1977. His second wife, Joanne Robinson, left him and had a restraining order entered against him in 1998, alleging that he had abused her since their marriage in 1986.[12]

Vincent battled alcoholism and intravenous drug use for much of his life. In 1977, 1978 and 1979 he was arrested for possession of cocaine and in 1984 and 1985 he was arrested after two bar brawls.[13] He also received a felony assault charge in 1986, of which he was acquitted, after his attorney argued that the woman tripped and fell on a telephone cord in his home.[13] He then was arrested for drunk driving but avoided jail by entering rehab in 1988. In 2000 a $374,000 default judgment was made against him after his former girlfriend alleged he had physically assaulted her after their breakup and caused her to miscarry their child.[14]

During the 1990s, he was involved in three severe automobile collisions, which he barely survived. In an accident in August 1996 Vincent broke three vertebrae in his neck.[15] He sustained a permanent injury to his vocal cords from an emergency medical procedure, leaving him with a permanently raspy voice. The first near fatal accident occurred in February 1992 and the third happened in September 1997.[16]

Vincent was charged with drunk driving again after his 1996 accident and once again sentenced to rehab and placed on probation. In an interview on the TV program The Insider on September 18, 2007, when asked about his 1996 car accident, he answered, "Y'know, I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't remember being in an accident."[5][17] In 2000, Vincent violated probation for his prior alcohol-related arrests by appearing drunk in public three times and assaulting his fiancée. As a result, he was sentenced to 60 days in the Orange County Jail.[18] Vincent was involved in another automobile accident in 2008.[19]

In an interview on October 24, 2014, with National Enquirer, Vincent revealed that his right leg was amputated just below the knee in 2012 after he contracted a leg infection as a result of complications from peripheral artery disease. After that he walked with a prosthetic limb, although he was sometimes forced to use a wheelchair.[20] He also revealed he had a tax debt in excess of $70,000.[21]

Vincent died on February 10, 2019, aged 73, in Asheville, North Carolina during cardiac arrest while hospitalized at Mission Hospital Memorial Campus. Bradycardia, a heart disease, was listed as an underlying cause of death. His death was not publicly announced until March 8, when TMZ broke the news, and showed a slightly redacted copy of his death certificate. He is survived by his third wife, Patricia Ann Christ, and his daughter from a previous marriage.[22][23][24][25][26]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1967 The Bandits Taye "Boy" Brown
1968 Journey to Shiloh Little Bit Lucket Credited as "Michael Vincent"
1969 The Survivors Jeffrey Hastings
The Undefeated Bubba Wilkes Credited as "Michael Vincent"
1970 Double Jeopardy Kevin Colter
Tribes Adrian
1971 Going Home Jimmy Graham
1972 The Mechanic Steve McKenna
1973 The World's Greatest Athlete Nanu
1974 Buster and Billie Buster Lane
1975 Bite the Bullet Carbo
White Line Fever Carrol Jo Hummer
1976 Baby Blue Marine Marion
Shadow of the Hawk Mike
Vigilante Force Ben Arnold
1977 Damnation Alley Tanner
1978 Big Wednesday Matt Johnson
Hooper Ski
1980 The Return Wayne
Defiance Tommy
1981 Hard Country Kyle
1983 Last Plane Out Jack Cox
1985 Get Out of My Room Immigration Officer
1987 Enemy Territory Parker
Born in East L.A. McCalister Music video; Born in East L.A. (I.C.E. cop)
1989 Demonstone Andy Buck
Hit List Jack Collins
Deadly Embrace Stewart Moreland Direct-to-video
Dirty Games Kepler West
Alienator Commander
1990 Haunting Fear Detective James Trent Direct-to-video
1991 Xtro II: The Second Encounter Dr. Ron Shepherd
Hangfire Colonel Johnson
Raw Nerve Lt. Bruce Ellis
1992 Beyond the Call of Duty Len Jordan
The Divine Enforcer Father Thomas Direct to video
Animal Instincts Fletcher Ross Direct to video
1993 Midnight Witness Lance
Sins of Desire Warren Robillard
Hidden Obsession Ben Scanlon
Deadly Heroes Cody Grant
Indecent Behavior Tom Mathis
1995 Abducted II: The Reunion Brad Allen
Body Count Detective Reinhart
Ice Cream Man Detective Gifford
Red Line Keller Direct to video
1996 The Last Kill unknown
1998 No Rest for the Wicked Sheriff Juan Ramirez
Buffalo '66 Sonny
2000 The Thundering 8th unknown
Escape to Grizzly Mountain Trapper
2003 White Boy Ron Masters

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1967 The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk Tony Prito Credited as "Mike Vincent"; Made-for-TV-Movie
Dragnet Rick Schneiderman "The Grenade" episode, credited as "Michael Vincent"
1968 Lassie Chris Hanford Episodes "Hanford's Point", part 1–3, credited as "Michael Vincent"
1968–70 The Banana Splits Adventure Hour Lincoln 'Link' Simmons Recurring, credited as "Michael Vincent"
1968–69 Bonanza Rick Miller
Eddie 		Episodes:
"The Unwanted"
"The Arrival of Eddie"
credited as "Michael Vincent"
1971 Dan August Kevin Colter Episode "Death Chain"
Men at Law Unknown Episode "One American"
The Persuaders! Helicopter pilot Episode "The Gold Napoleon", uncredited
Gunsmoke Travis Colter Episode "The Legend"
1972 The Catcher Sam Callende Made-for-TV-Movie
Sandcastles Michael Made-for-TV-Movie
1973 Marcus Welby, M.D. Ritchie Episode: "Catch a Ring That Isn't There"
Deliver Us from Evil Nick Fleming Made-for-TV-Movie
Toma Billy Haskell Episode: "Blockhouse Breakdown"
1973–75 Police Story Warren Yates
Dave Hauser 		Episodes:
"Incident in the Kill Zone"
"Line of Fire"
1983 The Winds of War Byron Henry Miniseries
1984–86 Airwolf Stringfellow Hawke Main cast
1986 Hotel Nick Hauser Episode "Undercurrents"
1987 Six Against the Rock Miran 'Buddy' Thompson Made-for-TV-Movie
1989 Tarzan in Manhattan Brightmore Made-for-TV-Movie
1991 The Final Heist David King Made-for-TV-Movie
1993 Singapore Sling Billy Made-for-TV-Movie
1994 Renegade Max Episode: "Hard Rider"
1996 Jurassic Women Zepp Made-for-TV-Movie
Lethal Orbit Riff Made-for-TV-Movie
1997 Nash Bridges Bobby Chase Episode "Revelations"

References

  1. ^ Grove, David (2016). Jan-Michael Vincent: Edge of Greatness. Albany, Georgia: BearManor Media. ISBN 978-1629330846 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b Bernstein, Adam (March 8, 2019). "'Airwolf' actor Jan-Michael Vincent dies; career derailed by drugs and alcohol". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Times Communications LLC (Nant Capital). Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Thorne, Will (March 8, 2019). "'Airwolf' star Jan-Michael Vincent dies at 74". The Mercury News. San Jose, California: Digital First Media. Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Verhoeven, Beatrice (March 8, 2019). "Jan-Michael Vincent, Star of 'Airwolf' and 'The Mechanic,' dies at 74". AOL. New York City: Verizon Media. TheWrap. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Jan-Michael Vincent interview on "The Insider", August 19, 2007". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  6. ^ "Ultimate DVD description of Airwolf DVD". Ultimatedvd.org. Archived from the original on 2005-11-29. Retrieved 2010-10-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Ipi Tombi". Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  8. ^ Thomas, Kevin (July 17, 1998). "Review of "Buffalo 66"". Chicago Tribune. Chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Nolasco, Stephanie (March 8, 2019). "'Airwolf' star Jan-Michael Vincent dead: report". Fox News. New York City: Fox Corporation. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "FilmBug bio". Filmbug.com. November 25, 2005. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  11. ^ "Jan-Michael Vincent Credits Cinema Career To Chance". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. May 5, 1973. p. 13. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  12. ^ "Vincent's Wife Claims Abuse". Kentucky New Era-Spotlight. November 30, 1994. p. 9A. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Vincent Acquitted Of Battery". The Press-Courier. October 11, 1988. p. 5. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  14. ^ Romney, Lee (August 27, 1996). "Jan-Michael Vincent Injured in Accident". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  15. ^ "Actor Jan-Michael Vincent Breaks Neck in Car Crash". Los Angeles Times. August 27, 1996. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Ryan, Joal (August 27, 1997). "Jan-Michael Vincent Loses Voice; Sues Paramedics". E!. au.eonline.com. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  17. ^ "Recluse Jan-Michael Vincent in Shocking New TV Expose". SFGate. Sfgate.com. September 14, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  18. ^ Piccalo, Gina (October 11, 2000). "Actor Works Off Sentence Wielding Mop and Broom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  19. ^ 2008 accident in Vicksburg, vicksburgpost.com, August 25, 2008.Archived May 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Jaccarino, Michael (October 31, 2014). "Jan-Michael Vincent Amputation Hell". National Enquirer. Retrieved November 9, 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  21. ^ McCormack, David (November 6, 2014). "The tragic downfall of 80s heartthrob Jan-Michael Vincent: Recovering alcoholic admits he's lucky to be alive after his right leg was amputated TWICE". Daily Mail. Retrieved November 9, 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  22. ^ "Jan-Michael Vincent 'Airwolf' Star Dead at 73". TMZ. March 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "Airwolf star Jan-Michael Vincent dies". BBC. March 8, 2019.
  24. ^ "Jan-Michael Vincent, Star of 'The Mechanic' and 'Airwolf,' Dies at 73". The Hollywood Reporter.
  25. ^ "Jan-Michael Vincent death certificate" (PDF).
  26. ^ "Airwolf star Jan-Michael Vincent dies aged 73 after cardiac arrest". Sky News. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
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