Frederic Forrest
(1936 - )Looking a bit younger here than he is today is one of the finest character actors working at present. His forte was intense, brooding, often troubled characters and some pretty evil villains. Tall at 6' 1", dark and good looking with piercing dark eyes and a very serious looking face and demeanor, he has created some memorable characters in his day. He was born on December 23, 1936 in Waxahachie, Texas and grew up there. He attended Texas Christian University and the University of Oklahoma. He began working in local theatre groups in Texas and being a serious actor, left for New York and the Actor's Studio where he studied under Stanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg. He began appearing in Greenwich Village cafes and working off-Broadway and in other experimental theatre groups. This definitely paid off as he is one fine actor. His film debut came in "When the Legends Die" (1972) as Tom Black Bull. His other film credits include: "The Don is Dead" (1973) as Tony; "The Gravy Train" (1974) as Rut; "The Conversation" (1974) with Gene Hackman, as Mark; "The Missouri Breaks" (1976) as Cary; "The Rose" (1979) with Bette Midler, as Dyer, for which he received an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor; "Apocalypse Now" (1979) as Chef; "Hammett" (1982) as Hammett; "One from the Heart" (1982) as Hank; "Valley Girl" (1983) as Steve Richman, a good role in a surprisingly enjoyable film; "The Stone Boy" (1984) as Andy Jansen, another fine role; "Where Are the Children?" (1986) as Courtney Parrish; "Tucker: The Man and His Dream" (1988) as Eddie Dean, in another fine role; "Music Box" (1990) with Jessica Lange, as Jack Burke, yet another fine role; "The Two Jakes" (1990) with Jack Nicholson, as Chuck Newty; "Falling Down" (1993) with Michael Douglas, as Surplus Store Owner; "Lassie" (1994) as Sam Garland; "Chasers" (1994) as Duane; "Point Blank" (1997) as Mac Bradford; "Black Thunder" (1997) as The Admiral; "Whatever" (1998) as Mr. Chaminsky; "The Spreading Ground" (2000) as Det. Michael McGivern and "A Piece of Eden" (2000) as Paulo Tredici. On TV he was a regular on: "21 Jump Street" (1987-88) as Capt. Richard Jenko; one of his best roles ever on "Lonesome Dove" (1989) a mini-series, as Blue Duck, a vicious killing machine and "Die Kinder" (1990) as Lomax. He appeared in some excellent TV movies including: "Promise Him Anything" (1974); "Ruby and Oswald" (1977) as Lee Harvey Oswald; "Who Will Love My Children?" (1983); "Quo Vadis?" (1985); "Citizen Cohn" (1992); "Andersonville" (1996) and "Sweetwater" (1999). He has also guest starred on the TV series "The Young Riders" and "Murphy Brown." He was married to actress Marilu Henner from 1980 to 1983. He bears a tattoo of an Iron Cross on his arm. He continues to rack up a fine list of film and TV credits.
From Great Character Actors, Page 7.
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