http://www.trbimg.com/img-52ae48d5/turbine/la-et-mn-tom-laughlin-star-of-billy-jack-films-001/486
Actors Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor starred in the 1971 movie "Billy Jack." (File photo)


Tom Laughlin, star of 'Billy Jack' films, dies at age 82

By Steven Zeitchik

December 15, 2013, 12:41 p.m.

Tom Laughlin, the maverick actor and filmmaker best known for the "Billy Jack"  films, has died. He was 82.

Laughlin died Thursday in Thousand Oaks, his family announced.

Laughlin had been married to actress Delores Taylor since 1954 and also had several ill-fated runs for president. But he was best known for the "Billy Jack" films, which also starred Taylor. In 1967, he wrote and directed (under the pseudonym T.C. Frank) and starred in "The Born Losers," a motorcycle exploitation film that became a big box-office hit. It introduced the world to the part-Native American Vietnam veteran title character.

The 1971 sequel, the vigilante-themed "Billy Jack," was, after a legal battle with studio Warner Bros., released independently. It also became a box-office smash, though it generated controversy for its suggestion of guns and violence as a justice-seeking tool.

Laughlin co-produced and starred in all four "Jack" films, including the little-seen final one, 1977's "Billy Jack Goes to Washington." The third film, "The Trial of Billy Jack," was one of the first movies to get a major television and national advertising push.

Laughlin was also known for his activisim -- he started a Montessori preschool and ran for president on three occasions. He had spoken in recent years of trying to bring the Jack character back to the big screen.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-tom-laughlin-billy-jack-films-dies-20131215,0,5952470.story#ixzz2nb321UJ2




Dan

Bummer. I had been reading that he might bring back the Billy Jack character.

It would have been cool to have seen an 82-year old Billy Jack kicking butt.  8)

The Billy Jack films were quite popular in the 70s, I saw a few of them.
Yup, Billy Jack kicked some good butt!

R.I.P Tom A.K.A Billy Jack :\'(

http://www.trbimg.com/img-52ae48d5/turbine/la-et-mn-tom-laughlin-star-of-billy-jack-films-001/486
Actors Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor starred in the 1971 movie "Billy Jack." (File photo)


Tom Laughlin, star of 'Billy Jack' films, dies at age 82

By Steven Zeitchik

December 15, 2013, 12:41 p.m.

Tom Laughlin, the maverick actor and filmmaker best known for the "Billy Jack"  films, has died. He was 82.

Laughlin died Thursday in Thousand Oaks, his family announced.

Laughlin had been married to actress Delores Taylor since 1954 and also had several ill-fated runs for president. But he was best known for the "Billy Jack" films, which also starred Taylor. In 1967, he wrote and directed (under the pseudonym T.C. Frank) and starred in "The Born Losers," a motorcycle exploitation film that became a big box-office hit. It introduced the world to the part-Native American Vietnam veteran title character.

The 1971 sequel, the vigilante-themed "Billy Jack," was, after a legal battle with studio Warner Bros., released independently. It also became a box-office smash, though it generated controversy for its suggestion of guns and violence as a justice-seeking tool.

Laughlin co-produced and starred in all four "Jack" films, including the little-seen final one, 1977's "Billy Jack Goes to Washington." The third film, "The Trial of Billy Jack," was one of the first movies to get a major television and national advertising push.

Laughlin was also known for his activisim -- he started a Montessori preschool and ran for president on three occasions. He had spoken in recent years of trying to bring the Jack character back to the big screen.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-tom-laughlin-billy-jack-films-dies-20131215,0,5952470.story#ixzz2nb321UJ2




Dan


One Tin Soldier rides away.....RIP Billy