Character actor Michael Parks, 77, who played memorable roles in films by directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, died Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Smith announced the actorâs death via Instagram.
Parksâ acting career began with small roles on 1960s television series, and from 1969 to 1970, he starred on NBCâs âThen Came Bronsonâ as Jim Bronson, a wanderer who motorcycles around the country. Parks also sang the showâs theme song, "Long Lonesome Highway," which became a pop and country hit. The songâs popularity led to a series of MGM albums in the following years.
Though he continued acting through the 1970s, â80s, and â90s, notably playing Canadian drug smuggler Jean Renault in five episodes on David Lynchâs cult classic ABC series âTwin Peaksâ in 1990, Parksâ career experienced a resurgence around the turn of the century. Coming to the attention of director Quentin Tarantino, Parks played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in the Tarantino-written âFrom Dusk Till Dawnâ and the same character again in both of Tarantinoâs âKill Billâ movies as well as in the Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino collaboration âGrindhouse.â He also appeared in Tarantinoâs acclaimed 2012 drama, âDjango Unchained.â The same year, he also played comic book author Jack Kirby in the best picture Oscar-winning âArgo.â
Parks played multiple roles in several movies, including âKill Bill Vol. Iâ and Kevin Smithâs âTusk.â Smith, who called Parks âhands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform,â also directed him in the 2011 thriller âRed State.â
Parks is survived by his wife, Oriana, and son, James.