Posted on 08/13/2009 11:59:57 AM PDT by Shermy
John Quade, a veteran character actor who specialized in playing heavies and appeared in several Clint Eastwood movies, including "Every Which Way But Loose" and its sequel "Any Which Way You Can," has died. He was 71.
Quade died in his sleep of natural causes Sunday at his home in Rosamond, near Lancaster, said his wife, Gwen Saunders. In a more than two-decade career in films and television that began in the late 1960s, Quade played character roles in numerous TV series and in films such as "Papillon," "The Sting" and Eastwood's "High Plains Drifter" and "The Outlaw Josey Wales." He also played Sheriff Biggs in the 1977 TV miniseries "Roots."
"Everybody remembers him for 'Every Which Way But Loose' and 'Any Which Way You Can,' " Quade's wife said Wednesday. "He played Chola, the leader of the motorcycle gang. It was more of a comic relief of the movie; they were a bumbling motorcycle gang."
Although Quade's name might not be familiar to many moviegoers, his face was. In fact, he had a face made for playing heavies.
"He was one of the nicest men you'd ever want to know, but he looked mean and nasty," his wife said. "He looked like he could do murder and mayhem at any moment, but he was a big teddy bear -- the kind that he just loved little kids, but they were always afraid of him.
"His face definitely stands out in a crowd. He had to be careful he didn't overshadow scenes just by the way he looked. The first film he did with Clint Eastwood, Clint hired him for his face and told him afterward that he felt like he got a bonus because John could act."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
He ‘made the ‘Any Which’ movies...Clint was playing second fiddle to Quade’s antics...
never knew his name, but a great actor.
the wigs! lol, that cracked me up.
“I thought most folks just stomped on spiders!”
Rest In Peace.
Agreed. I always did like him though. RIP.
Quade was one of a number of character actors who appeared in many of Eastwood’s films. Bill McKinney, Geoff Lewis, Albert Popwell were also frequently cast in Clint’s flicks.
Yep, he’s instantly recognizable. Just didn’t know his name. RIP Mr.Quade.
Appreciated his work. RIP, Mr. Quade.
I saw him on Buck Rogers, Galactica 1980, and the A-Team growing up. Hard man not to recognize, but I didn’t learn his name until much later. Funny, I was thinking about him just a few weeks ago.
I remember him from Buck Rogers as well.
R.I.P.
lol
I don’t believe anybody dies ‘in their sleep,’ it just wouldn’t seem fair somehow.
After spending all this time fearing it and romancing it, even defying and challenging it, we ought to have a chance to enjoy it.
I thought it was the great singing of the mayor’s wife.
Thanks for the link. That’s an eye opener that a lot of folks should see.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.