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Bill McKinney, the movie and television character actor who was one of the great on-screen villains, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 12, 1931. He had an unsettled life as a child, moving 12 times before joining the Navy at the age of 19 during the Korean War. Once, when his family moved from Tennessee to Georgia, he was beaten by a local gang and thrown into a creek for the offense of being from the Volunteer State.

In his four years on active duty in the Navy, McKinney served two years on a mine sweeper in Korean waters. He was also stationed at Port Hueneme in Ventura County, California, and he would journey to nearby Los Angeles while on liberty from his ship. During his years in the Navy, McKinney decided he wanted to be an actor and would make it his life if he survived the Korean War.

Discharged in Long Beach, California, in 1954, McKinney settled in southern California. He attended acting school at the famous Pasadena Playhouse in 1957, and his classmates included Dustin Hoffman and Mako. McKinney supported himself as an arborist, trimming and taking down trees, a job he continued into the 1970s, when he was appearing in major films. McKinney has had a life-long love affair with trees since he was a child.

After his time at the Pasadena Playhouse, McKinney was admitted to Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio. He made his movie debut in the exploitation picture, She Freak (1967), and was busy on television, making his debut in 1968 on The Monkees (1965) and attracting attention as "Lobo" on Alias Smith and Jones (1971). But it was as the Mountain Man in John Boorman's Deliverance (1972), a movie nominated for Best Picture of 1972 at the Academy Awards, that brought McKinney widespread attention and solidified his reputation as one of moviedom's all-time most heinous screen villains.

In his autobiography, McKinney's Deliverance (1972) co-star, Burt Reynolds (whose character dispatches The Mountain Man with an arrow in the back) said of McKinney, "I thought he was a little bent. I used to get up at five in the morning and see him running nude through the golf course while the sprinklers watered the grass...."

McKinney denies this, and also disputes Reynolds contention that he was overly enthusiastic playing the infamous scene where his character buggers Ned Beatty.

"He always played sickos", Reynolds said of McKinney, "but he played them well. With my dark sense of humor, I was kind of amused by him.... McKinney turned out to be a pretty good guy who just took the method way too far".

McKinney told Maxim magazine in an interview honoring him and his Mountain Man partner 'Herbert "Cowboy" Coward' as the #1 screen villains of all time that Reynolds' stories were untrue. "If you lose control on a movie set", McKinney told Maxim, "it's not acting, it's indulgence".

McKinney's wild-and-reckless screen persona and penchant for on-screen villainy attracted offers from A-list directors, which is a testament to his professionalism. He began appearing in films directed by top directors: Sam Peckinpah's Junior Bonner (1972), John Huston's The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972), Peter Yates's For Pete's Sake (1974) and, most chillingly, as the assassin in Alan J. Pakula's The Parallax View (1974). (One director who did not hire him was Stanley Kubrick, who had considered him for the role of the Marine drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket (1987) but demurred as he thought he came across as too scary after screening "Deliverance".)

McKinney also appeared in the classic TV movie, The Execution of Private Slovik (1974), while guest-starring on some of the top TV shows, including He'll Never See Daylight (1975) and Columbo (1971).

It was on the set working for a new director, who would go on to win an Oscar that McKinney made a fateful connection. He played the aptly named "Crazy Driver" in Michael Cimino's Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), starring Clint Eastwood. McKinney became part of the Eastwood stock company and enjoyed one of his best roles as the commander of the Red Legs in The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), under the direction of Eastwood, himself. McKinney appeared in another six Eastwood films from The Gauntlet (1977) to Pink Cadillac (1989), when the Eastwood stock company disbanded, and had another terrific turn in Eastwood's well-reviewed Bronco Billy (1980), this time playing a member of Bronco Billy's circus, a character that was neither crazy, demented or odd.

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), which Orson Welles praised as an extremely well-directed film at a time when respectable critics did not associate Clint Eastwood with art, let alone craftsmanship, and Bronco Billy (1980), which was a hit with the critics but not with Eastwood fans, established the laconic superstar's reputation as a director, and McKinney was in both films. In the mid-'70s, McKinney also was a memorable misanthrope as 'Ron Howard''s employer who is done in by John Wayne's The Shootist (1976) in the eponymous film directed by Don Siegel, Eastwood's mentor. Other memorable movies that McKinney has appeared in during his career include the initial Rambo film, First Blood (1982), Against All Odds (1984), Heart Like a Wheel (1983), Back to the Future Part III (1990) and The Green Mile (1999).

He never retired, continuing to act into his late seventies. He also performed as a singer and recorded a CD, "Love Songs from Antry", featuring Sinatra-like numbers and some country & western tunes.

Bill McKinney died on December 1, 2011 in Van Nuys, California from cancer of the esophagus. He was 80 years old.

British actor David Rappaport earned more roles and respect than most guys his size (or any size for that matter) who attempted a professional acting career. Born with the genetic condition dwarfism (he was 3' 11"), he was often typecast in bizarre, sometimes silly and demeaning roles; but, like others before (Michael Dunn) and after (Peter Dinklage), he rose to the challenge and proved himself a talent to be reckoned with.

He was born David Stephen Rappaport on November 23, 1951, to a London Jewish family and showed musical prowess at an early age. He learned how to play both the drums and the accordion, which helped him out financially during the lean years. He studied psychology at the University of Bristol in 1969 and graduated with a degree while developing a side interest in theatre and performing in plays and revues. Following graduation, he married his college girlfriend, Jane, and had a son, Joe, the following year. He gave school teaching a try but left in 1977 to focus on his first love - acting.

Returning to England, he built up his reputation on TV and developed celebrity status. He acted in and wrote for the program "Beyond the Groove" and performed in a couple of children's series to boot. Film showcases for David came unexpectedly with the scene-stealing role of "Randall", the ringleader of a motley group of time-traveling thieves, in Time Bandits (1981), and in The Bride (1985) as "Rinaldo", a little person who befriends a giant. American audiences were given a good taste of David's charm, intelligence and razor-sharp wit with the popular but short-lived series, The Wizard (1986), as "Simon McKay", the inventor of odd and exciting toys who derived great pleasure out of being a good Samaritan. He followed this with the attention-getting role of slick attorney "Hamilton Skylar" in a few episodes of L.A. Law (1986).

Despite his successful professional career, David was beset by personal unhappiness and acute depression. He was booked to play the darkly comic role of Zibalian trader Kivas Fajo on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (episode "The Most Toys," subsequently played by gifted Canadian actor Saul Rubinek). However, on May 2, 1990, Rappaport's third suicide attempt was successful, as he shot himself in the chest with a .38 caliber revolver he had bought 15 days earlier. The 38-year-old actor was buried at the Waltham Abbey cemetery in England.

Mae Busch can certainly claim career versatility, having successfully played Erich von Stroheim's mistress, Lon Chaney's girlfriend, Charley Chase's sister, James Finlayson's ex-wife and Oliver Hardy's wife! She was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1891; her parents were in the theater and when she was six years old the family moved to the US, arriving in San Francisco in 1897 before moving to New York. It is claimed Mae was placed in St. Elizabeth's Convent in New Jersey until at least the age of 12, when she joined her parents in vaudeville as part of the Busch Devere Trio (New York press articles confirm Mae as being part of the group in early 1908). Her big break came in March 1912 when she replaced Lillian Lorraine in the lead role in the Broadweay play "Over the River", with Eddie Foy. She continued in this role until the end of the season, when she joined one of Jesse L. Lasky's touring "girl" shows, where she stayed until signed by Mack Sennett for his Keystone Pictures in 1915. As she was performing on Broadway at the same time as "The Agitator" was filming in California, the claim that this was her first film is incorrect. Similarly, there is no evidence that she knew Mabel Normand prior to arriving in Los Angeles in 1915.

In Hollywood things didn't begin so well for Mae. In order to get work, she falsely claimed to have lived in Tahiti and to be able to swim and dive. A high dive she took while filming The Water Nymph (1912) resulted in an injury and her returning to her parents in New York. It was only then when working in the theater again that she developed into leading-lady status.

Mae returned to Hollywood, and Keystone, in 1915. However, her friendship with Mabel ended abruptly when she was "caught" with Sennett, Mabel's fiancé, and Mae was forced to leave Keystone. Over the years she had substantial roles in quite a few films, such as von Stroheim's The Devil's Passkey (1920) and Foolish Wives (1922). Although 1927 was the year of her first movie with Stan Laurel and Hardy, it wasn't until Unaccustomed As We Are (1929) that she first played Mrs. Hardy, the role that she will always be remembered for. She was Mrs. Hardy again in Their First Mistake (1932), Sons of the Desert (1933), and The Bohemian Girl (1936). She also appeared in other Laurel and Hardy pictures but not as Mrs. Hardy, such as Charlie Hall's wife in Them Thar Hills (1934), and she only flirted with Hardy in Tit for Tat (1935).

Mae's Hollywood career lasted 30 years; she worked with many of the leading directors, actors and actresses of the time. After a long illness she died in 1946, aged 54. She was cremated and her ashes remained in a cardboard box at the Motion Picture Country Home Hospital for over 20 years until a proper interment and plaque was provided.

Although Los Angeles native Howard McNear had a long career on radio and in films, he will forever be remembered for his memorable - and scene-stealing - portrayal of Floyd the Barber in the long-running The Andy Griffith Show (1960) (actor Don Knotts once said that playing Floyd wasn't much of a stretch for McNear, as his real personality was pretty much like Floyd to begin with). McNear started his career in radio, where he played Doc Adams in "Gunsmoke" for many years. In films he often played congressmen, hotel managers or other such figures, although he did on occasion play villains. While working on the "Andy Griffith Show" he suffered a massive stroke. After he recuperated he had trouble using his arms and legs, and when he returned to work on the show he was always seen either in a close-up or sitting down (often in a chair outside the barber shop while chatting with Barney and Andy). He died in 1969 in Hollywood.

Mac Miller was born on 19 January 1992 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a music artist and actor, known for Scary Movie V (2013), Tall Girl (2019) and Lethal Weapon (2016). He died on 7 September 2018 in San Fernando Valley, California, USA.

Tor Johnson was a big man, with a big heart, who was born October 19, 1903, in Sweden.

Most of his adult life, he was a professional wrestler. Tor started appearing (uncredited, or in bit parts) in movies as early as 1934. He was in 31 movies, usually as "Weightlifter" or "Strongman."

Later, he got larger roles with character names. Tor was in the Bing Crosby - Bob Hope movie Road to Rio (1947) as Samson; and had a part in Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950) as Abou Ben.

Contrary to how it was depicted in the semi-documentary "Ed Wood," that Ed approached Tor and asked him if he ever fancied the notion of becoming an actor (and starting his film career), Ed worked with Tor towards the end of his movie career. Ed Wood got Tor to portray Lobo in Bride of the Monster (1955). After appearing in 3 other movies, Ed Wood cast Tor in Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957).

Then Ed had Tor reprise his role of Lobo for Night of the Ghouls (1959) -- in that movie, Paul Marco (Kelton the Cop) had a full load in the prop gun he fired at Tor where sparks hit Tor's arms, which by reflex hit Paul, knocking him unconscious in real life; Tor felt bad about that, but everybody knew it was just a case of the big guy not knowing his own strength.

A friend and cohort of Ed's (and also a writer, director and producer in his own right), was Anthony Cardoza. Ed lived in an apartment on Yucca Street (nicknamed "Yucca Flats"), and in 1961, Anthony cast Tor Johnson in a starring role in his low budget movie The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961). This movie was filmed silent, had dubbed-in sound effects, voiced-over narration, and killed off Tor's movie career once and for all (for which Tor was paid only $300). However, Tor had somewhat of a TV career in the 1960s, appearing on "You Bet Your Life" with Groucho Marx, several appearances on "The Red Skelton Show," and even doing a number of TV commercials.

Costars spoke fondly of Tor, remembering, "Tor had such warmth! He was so cooperative-- just a lovely man. As you know, he was a former wrestler ... he would go and have drinks with his opponents after a wrestling match." And, he lived large. Friends spoke of his gracious wife Greta who made great Swedish dinners, along with desserts consisting of her homemade ice cream with strawberries, bananas, coconut and whipped cream.

Little wonder his son, Karl, grew up to be big and strong, and became a Lieutenant with the San Fernando Police Department. And, some friends would chuckle as they recalled that, as big as he was, Tor drove a midget foreign car which was "not much bigger than he was."

Tor Johnson died on May 12, 1971, in San Fernando, CA, due to a heart ailment; he was 67.

Kristoff made his television debut at age 8 in the sit-com series "That's My Mama." Now, 39 years later, he is one of the stars on CBS's "Young and The Restless," the number one rated drama for the past 25 years on daytime television, playing the popular character of Neil Winters. Is it just a coincidence that Kristoff has been starring on Y and R for 23 plus years.

His childlike gifts have all emerged into the full measure of a mature actor, as is evident by his eight Emmy Award nominations.

Two of Kristoff's Emmy nominations came from starring in the short-lived, NBC-TV daytime drama, "Generations." Kristoff was nominated as Best Supporting Actor in 1990, and in 1991. In 1992 he won the Emmy Award for his role of Neil Winters on "The Young and The Restless." He was nominated for an Emmy in 1993, 1999, and also in 2000, 2006, 2007, and Kristoff won a second Emmy in 2008, for Best Supporting Actor for his role on The Young and The Restless.

Kristoff has had the distinct honor of winning the NAACP Image Award as Best Actor in a Daytime Drama, "The Young and the Restless" nine times. He has been nominated for the Image award sixteen times.

Kristoff is no stranger to the CBS network, having starred in the series "Charlie and Company," with Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight, and Della Reese. He was also a series regular on CBS' "The Bad News Bears." Kristoff also starred in the Spelling Series, "The San Pedro Beach Bums,"

As a child and young adult, Kristoff worked with legendary entertainers such as Richard Pryor, Tony Orlando, Diahann Carroll, Jack Warden, James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby, Flip Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Irene Cara, Gladys Knight, Farrah Fawcett, Jon Voight, and had the distinction of playing the title role of Young Alex Haley in "Roots 2," for which he won a 'Youth in Film' award.

Kristoff has starred in many television dramatic features and mini series, (list available upon request) as well as over two dozen television guest star roles including "Suddenly Susan," "Arliss," "The Jamie Foxx Show," "Get Real," "Pensacola," "Martin," "Living Single," "For Your Love," "The Cosby Show," "Diagnosis Murder," etc. etc. Additionally, he had a recurring role, playing Holly Robinson's boyfriend on the ABC-TV sitcom series "Hanging with Mr. Cooper." He also guest starred in Bow Wow's WB pilot project, "Saving Jason."

Kristoff's feature film credits include starring roles in "The Champ," "Top of the Heap," "A Man Called God," and "Trois 2, Pandoras Box."

Kristoff starred in the independent feature "Carpool Guy," directed by and starring fellow daytime alum Corbin Bernsen.

Kristoff has appeared on "The Tonight Show," with Jay Leno, and over three dozen other talk shows!

Kristoff was voted one of the 40 most fascinating faces by 'People' Magazine in 1998. Additionally, Kristoff was voted one of the 'top ten soap studs' of all time by E-On Line in 1999.

Unwilling to limit his artistic talents to acting, Kristoff formed his own production company to produce and direct his own projects,. One of Kristoff's screenplays has been optioned by Warner Brothers.

From 1995-1997, he created, produced, and hosted the CBS series, "CBS Soap Break," an up close and personal look at CBS soap stars.

Kristoff has written, produced, directed, and hosted two installments of a 'behind the scenes' video series entitled, "Backstage Pass to the 25th and 26th Annual Daytime Emmy's."

Kristoff has also written, produced and directed a children's workout/exercise DVD starring his two children, Julian and Paris.

Kristoff was hired by the Starz network as an official spokesperson for the Black Starz channel.

In 2006, Kristoff was hired to host TV Guide's "Close-up," and "Soap Secrets."

Kristoff hosted the Pre Show to the Golden Globes, Live on the Red Carpet, for the T.V. Guide Network in 2007.

Kristoff is also the brainchild of a Hollywood based DVD/board game, 'Becoming a Celebrity' that hit toy store shelves in 2005.

In 2008, Kristoff produced a $2 million dollar Independent feature film "A Bridge To Nowhere," directed by Blair Underwood.

Kristoff was voted as one of TV Guides top 25 Sexiest Soap males in 2008.

Kristoff Guest Starred on "Everybody Hates Chris" in 2008, playing himself!

Summer of 2008, Kristoff hosted TV Guides "Soaps Top 25 Sexiest Ladies."

Kristoff won his second Emmy for playing the popular character of Neil Winters on "The Young and The Restless" in 2008.

In 2009, Kristoff Guested on the wildly popular "L.A. INK" show on TLC, adding to his tattoo collection!

Kristoff presented at the "World Magic Awards" in 2009.

Kristoff starred in the Wayans pilot project "Growing Up Wayans" in the summer of 2010, playing Kim Wayan's husband and father to their 6 kids.

Kristoff was a recurring guest star on the sit-com "Family Time" airing on the Bounce Network.

Kristoff guest-starred in September 2013 on "Love That Girl" on TV One, working with Phil Morris, alumni from Y and R.

Kristoff guest-starred on Byron Allens, "The First Family," August, 2013.

Kristoff worked on a feature film project 34 years in the making: "A Man Called God," a unique 'cult' documentary about Kristoff's travels to Southern India to study with a world renowned holy man that 50 million disciples call God.

Kristoff had three children, his son, Julian, and daughters, Paris and Lola.

Dark haired, athletic American leading man of '40s B-movies. Richard Crane was at his most successful at a time when Hollywood was somewhat denuded of its male stars, most of whom were doing wartime military service. Upon their return to the ranks, Crane's career went into decline. He did, however, have a brief resurgence in the 1950s as the square-jawed, muscular hero of several space-borne serials, notably as the titular star of Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1954). The next fifteen years he spent guesting in TV westerns and crime dramas, frequently appearing on The Lone Ranger (1949) and Lassie (1954). His final recurring role was as a police lieutenant in Surfside 6 (1960), a detective series aimed at the teenage market. At the time of Crane's death, he was President of Film Trend Productions.

Jackson Odell was born on 2 July 1997 in Colorado, USA. He was an actor, known for Forever My Girl (2018) and Great Plains (2016). He died on 8 June 2018 in San Fernando, California, USA.

Born in East Boston, Johnny Indrisano was from a poverty stricken family. As a youth he vowed to "have money" some day. He boxed 155 amateur fights. He turned professional and went on to fight 83 main events in which he won 80. He defeated 5 world champions. His career lasted from 1924 to 1934. He defeated among others, Joe Dundee(World Welterweight Champ/non-title fight), Nick Testo, Johnny Freeman, Sig Keppen, and Sammy Baker. From 1934 to 1949 he worked as a boxing referee. He began as a boxing coach for movie stars and from there became a full-time boxing adviser on films. He also worked as a character actor. Among the stars he trained were John Garfield, Spencer Tracy, Carey Grant, Mickey Rooney, Robert Ryan, Robert Taylor, Jimmy Durante, Fred MacMurray, Ricardo Montalban, and William Lundigan. He died under mysterious conditions - possibly a suicide.

Mary Ann Jackson was born on January 14, 1923. She was one of the earliest child stars of the twenties and thirties. Although she was better known as one of the child performers from the famed "Our Gang" comedies that are still popular today, Mary Ann began her film career at the age of four in 1927's "Smith's Pony." Although she didn't make any full length motion pictures during 1928, Mary Ann more than made up for it the following year when she appeared in six major pictures such as "Bouncing Babies" and "Lazy Days." After eight films in 1930 and six in 1931, Mary Ann left the film world after "Little Daddy" at the age of eight.

Janice Carroll was born on 19 February 1932 in Hollywood, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Shane (1953), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967) and Simon & Simon (1981). She died on 10 September 1993 in San Fernando Valley, California, USA.

David Clyde was born on 27 March 1885 in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Suzy (1936), Bulldog Drummond's Peril (1938) and The Scarlet Claw (1944). He was married to Fay Holden. He died on 17 May 1945 in San Fernando Valley, California, USA.

Jaylin Ogle was born on 4 September 2002 in the USA. He was an actor, known for Criminal Minds (2005), Ballers (2015) and Too Old to Die Young (2019). He died on 22 March 2024 in San Fernando Valley, California, USA.

David Leonard was born on 5 September 1891 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Lust for Life (1956), Song of My Heart (1948) and The Bishop's Wife (1947). He died on 2 April 1967 in San Fernando, California, USA.

John W. Dunn was born on 25 February 1919 in Coatbridge, Scotland, UK. John W. was a writer, known for The Magical World of Disney (1954), Super President (1967) and The Super 6 (1966). John W. was married to Marcella. John W. died on 17 January 1983 in San Fernando, California, USA.

Sonny Barnes was born in St Paul, MN,. He was an actor, known for Black Belt Jones (1974), Truck Turner (1974) and Force: Five (1981). He died in 2010 in San Fernando, California, USA.

Aileen Carlyle was born on 5 March 1906 in San Francisco, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Meet the Wife (1931), The Country Doctor (1936) and Dragstrip Riot (1958). She died on 3 May 1984 in San Fernando, California, USA.

Tona Dodd was born on 30 November 1926 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for Teen Witch (1989), Cannery Row (1982) and The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987). She was married to William Bronder. She died on 28 June 2017 in San Fernando Valley, California, USA.

Frank Marocco was born on 2 January 1931 in Joliet, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Election (1999), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) and Midnight Run (1988). He was married to Anne. He died on 3 March 2012 in San Fernando Valley, California, USA.

Eric grew up in Columbia Falls, Montana. He was the youngest child in his family. Eric was loved by all who met him. He was a natural in any sport he participated in while in school! Eric also taught himself how to develop color film of which the very first picture he ever developed was that of his hand painted red, white and blue 1958 Chevrolet! Eric never drank alcohal or did any drugs while in school.

Sandra Crouch was born on 1 July 1942 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress and producer, known for The Color Purple (1985), A Time to Kill (1996) and In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994). She was married to Greg Phillips. She died on 17 March 2024 in San Fernando, California, USA.

Toto Natividad was born on 19 July 1957 in Caloocan City, Philippines. He was a director and assistant director, known for Hangga't may hininga (1996), Suspek (1999) and Wangbu (1998). He died on 27 April 2021 in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines.

Con Covert was born in 1935 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Repo Man (1984) and A Scream in the Streets (1973). He died in 1990 in San Fernando Valley, California, USA.

Clarinettist and alto saxophonist Mahlon Clark performed with the bands of Lawrence Welk, Ray McKinley and Will Bradley during the big band era. He had a background in vaudeville before becoming a musician at the age of sixteen. Based on Santa Catalina island during World War II, he entertaining troops on furlough as part of a merchant marine band. In 1945, Clark married McKinley vocalist Imogene Lynn. After the war, he performed on a number of motion picture soundtracks while under contract to Paramount as a member of the resident studio orchestra.

Clark was most famous for playing the clarinet solo of 'Baby Elephant Walk' (composed by Henry Mancini featured in the John Wayne movie Hatari! (1962). In the 1960s he became a busy session musician accompanying stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, Madonna and Linda Ronstadt. A close friend of arranger/bandleader Nelson Riddle, he can also be heard on many recordings by Frank Sinatra made for the Capitol label. Clark's second wife was singer Kathy Lennon of Lennon Sisters fame.