RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
#1
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RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
via Variety.com
Actor Geoffrey Lewis, who appeared in several Clint Eastwood movies and made guest appearances on dozens of TV shows in the ’60s through ’80s, died Tuesday in Woodland Hills, Calif. of natural causes, according to a family friend. He was 79. The character actor, who often appeared in Westerns, was the father of actress Juliette Lewis.
He had roles in Eastwood’s “High Plains Drifter,” “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,” as Orville Boggs in “Every Which Way But Loose” and “Any Which Way You Can” as well as in “Bronco Billy,” “Pink Cadillac” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Among his other film credits were “The Devil’s Rejects,” Michael Cimino’s “Heaven’s Gate,” John Milius’ “Dillinger,” TV movie “Salem’s Lot” and Michael Ritchie’s “Smile.”
Lewis received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance on the 1980 series “Flo,” and appeared in numerous other shows including “Barnaby Jones,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “Lou Grant,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Falcon Crest” and “Murder, She Wrote.”
Born in San Diego, he grew up in Rhode Island and moved to California at age 10. He is survived by his wife Paula Hochhalter, Juliette Lewis and nine other children including Lightfield and Matthew, both actors, and Dierdre, an actress.
He had roles in Eastwood’s “High Plains Drifter,” “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,” as Orville Boggs in “Every Which Way But Loose” and “Any Which Way You Can” as well as in “Bronco Billy,” “Pink Cadillac” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Among his other film credits were “The Devil’s Rejects,” Michael Cimino’s “Heaven’s Gate,” John Milius’ “Dillinger,” TV movie “Salem’s Lot” and Michael Ritchie’s “Smile.”
Lewis received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance on the 1980 series “Flo,” and appeared in numerous other shows including “Barnaby Jones,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “Lou Grant,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Falcon Crest” and “Murder, She Wrote.”
Born in San Diego, he grew up in Rhode Island and moved to California at age 10. He is survived by his wife Paula Hochhalter, Juliette Lewis and nine other children including Lightfield and Matthew, both actors, and Dierdre, an actress.
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Always loved to see him pop up in a movie. From working with Eastwood to Double Impact and so on. Great character actor, RIP.
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
As a kid, I thought he was Clint's brother since I was watching Every Which Way But Loose, Any Which Way You Can, and Bronco Billy on HBO on constant rotation in the early 80's.
I was often disappointed when he didn't pop-up in other Eastwood films. I was always looking for him.
I was often disappointed when he didn't pop-up in other Eastwood films. I was always looking for him.
#7
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
The first thing I saw him in was DILLINGER and then THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT and then THE WIND AND THE LION and then whatever other Eastwood films he was in. Always good, always memorable. I haven't seen him in much in years, though. The last things I saw him in were DOUBLE IMPACT (1991) and MAVERICK (1994). In looking over his IMDB filmography, I'm not familiar with many of the features he's made in the last 20 years.
How did he get along with Juliette? I've never read anything about that.
His death follows those of Stan Freberg and James Best, who were born just two weeks apart.
How did he get along with Juliette? I've never read anything about that.
His death follows those of Stan Freberg and James Best, who were born just two weeks apart.
#9
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Juliette Lewis legally emancipated from her parents at age 14. But contrary to popular belief, she did so with the consent of her parents, who helped her through the process.
"I know that sounds all radical, but when you start acting when you're younger, you talk to other actor kids and their moms, and they're like, 'Yeah, if you want to get a job, they like on your resume to say emancipated minor versus minor, because you then can work over eight hours.' Uma Thurman was emancipated, Giovanni Ribisi -- so many people got emancipated who were working as teenagers."
Lewis added that rumors online indicating she split from her parents because of discord are simply not true.
"So I just have to clear that up," she said. "Do you know, I can't even change the false facts that are on the Interweb about me? You're like, 'No, it's me, and you're wrong about my history!'"
Lewis described her parents as "radical, hilarious, artistic" and always very supportive of her aspirations to be an actress.
"They're lovely, and my dad would take us out of school every now and then, like lie to the teachers, 'We're going to the dentist,' and take us to 'Star Wars.' You know, I didn't graduate high school, but I got to see 'Star Wars' and skip those lines," she said.
"I know that sounds all radical, but when you start acting when you're younger, you talk to other actor kids and their moms, and they're like, 'Yeah, if you want to get a job, they like on your resume to say emancipated minor versus minor, because you then can work over eight hours.' Uma Thurman was emancipated, Giovanni Ribisi -- so many people got emancipated who were working as teenagers."
Lewis added that rumors online indicating she split from her parents because of discord are simply not true.
"So I just have to clear that up," she said. "Do you know, I can't even change the false facts that are on the Interweb about me? You're like, 'No, it's me, and you're wrong about my history!'"
Lewis described her parents as "radical, hilarious, artistic" and always very supportive of her aspirations to be an actress.
"They're lovely, and my dad would take us out of school every now and then, like lie to the teachers, 'We're going to the dentist,' and take us to 'Star Wars.' You know, I didn't graduate high school, but I got to see 'Star Wars' and skip those lines," she said.
I heard about her emancipation and figured they were estranged.
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Yeah I've heard of that strategy in the past. Sounds like she enjoyed her parents company.
#11
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/ge...is-1201467979/
Yeah, there's a loving social media post from Juliette to honor her dad in this Variety obit. That's nice to read.
What astounds me is that he grew up in Rhode Island and California yet he made a career out of playing good ol' southern boys and was always so good at it. I guess that's what makes a great actor.
I gotta say that the '70s was a great age for character actors, what with all the Eastwood and Burt Reynolds and Altman movies and urban crime dramas where all these guys got to do their thing, e.g. Lewis, Steve Kanaly, Bill McKinney, Gregory Walcott, John McQuade, Roy Jenson, Burton Gilliam and everybody from the Eastwood films and Bert Remsen, Barbara Harris, Ned Beatty, Karen Black, Henry Gibson and the Altman stock company and John Cazale, Richard Castellano, Abe Vigoda, Charles Durning, Dick O'Neill, Julius Harris, Antonio Fargas, Allen Garfield, Anthony Holland, Val Avery and everybody else from everything else. You get the idea.
Yeah, there's a loving social media post from Juliette to honor her dad in this Variety obit. That's nice to read.
What astounds me is that he grew up in Rhode Island and California yet he made a career out of playing good ol' southern boys and was always so good at it. I guess that's what makes a great actor.
I gotta say that the '70s was a great age for character actors, what with all the Eastwood and Burt Reynolds and Altman movies and urban crime dramas where all these guys got to do their thing, e.g. Lewis, Steve Kanaly, Bill McKinney, Gregory Walcott, John McQuade, Roy Jenson, Burton Gilliam and everybody from the Eastwood films and Bert Remsen, Barbara Harris, Ned Beatty, Karen Black, Henry Gibson and the Altman stock company and John Cazale, Richard Castellano, Abe Vigoda, Charles Durning, Dick O'Neill, Julius Harris, Antonio Fargas, Allen Garfield, Anthony Holland, Val Avery and everybody else from everything else. You get the idea.
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 04-08-15 at 10:36 AM.
#12
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Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
The most recent thing I saw him in was an episode of Criminal Minds.
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Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Two cast members from "The Devil's Rejects" in one week? Ken Foree better get a check-up...
Bummer news. I always enjoyed seeing Lewis in his many character roles.
Bummer news. I always enjoyed seeing Lewis in his many character roles.
#14
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#15
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Since Elisha Cook was in this movie, did he play his dad? They sure would've made a perfect father/son duo.
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Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Wooow.. Ben watching and enjoying this funny lookin' man in stuff since the 70's. Didn't even know JL was his daughter.
RIP
RIP
#19
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
I didn't know he was Juliette Lewis' father until today. Apparently he had a heart attack while working out - as per his son.
#21
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Didn't know he was Juliette Lewis's father until it was mentioned in the news articles about his passing.
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
One of those recognizable faces whose name didn't always spring to mind. Good actor.
#24
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Re: RIP Geoffrey Lewis (1935-2015)
Looking at his filmography, the earliest movie I would have seen him in would likely have been Bad Company, High Plains Drifter or My Name is Nobody (though I don't recall him in any of those). I didn't really start recognizing him as a character actor until his role of Orville in the two Any Which Way movies with Clint. RIP
I too was not aware that he was JL's father.
I too was not aware that he was JL's father.