Blind Fury
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Phillip Noyce
Rutger Hauer
Brandon Call
Rick Overton
Sho Kosugi
Lisa Blount
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
A blind Vietnam veteran travels across the country in an effort to reunite a young boy with his missing father.
Director
Phillip Noyce
Cast
Rutger Hauer
Brandon Call
Rick Overton
Sho Kosugi
Lisa Blount
Terry O'quinn
Randall Cobb
Randall Cobb
Charles Cooper
Noble Willingham
Meg Foster
Nick Cassavetes
Crew
Don Burgess
Charles Robert Carner
Charles Robert Carner
Robert Cort
Tom Davies
Katherine Dover
Dan Grodnik
Ryozo Kasahara
Steve Lambert
Sally Lear
Junie Lowry-johnson
Dennis Madalone
David Madden
Tim Matheson
Dennis Murphy
Dennis Murphy
Peter Murton
J Peter Robinson
Gina Scheerer
David A Simmons
Dick Ziker
Film Details
Technical Specs
Articles
Noble Willingham (1931-2004)
Born on August 31, 1931 in Mineola, Texas, Willingham was educated at North Texas State University where he earned a degree in Economics. He later taught government and economics at a high school in Houston, leaving his life-long dreams of becoming an actor on hold until the opportunity presented itself. Such an opportunity happened when in late 1970, Peter Bogdonovich was doing some on-location shooting in south Texas for The Last Picture Show (1971); at the urging of some friends, he audition and won a small role in the picture. From there, Willingham slowly began to find work in some prominent films, including Bogdonovich's Paper Moon (1973), and Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974). Around this time, Willingham kept busy with many guest appearances on a variety of popular shows: Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Waltons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Rockford Files and several others.
Critics didn't take notice of his acting abilities until he landed the role of Leroy Mason, the soulless plant manager who stares down Sally Field in Norma Rae (1979). Few could forget him screaming at her, "Lady, I want you off the premises now!" with unapologetic malice. It may have not been a likable character, but after this stint, better roles came along, most notably the corrupt Dr. Fenster in Robert Redford's prison drama Brubaker (1980); and the evil sheriff in the thriller The Howling (1981).
By the late '80s, Willingham was an in-demand character actor, and he scored in three hit films: a border patrol sergeant - a great straight man to Cheech Marin - in the ethnic comedy Born in East L.A.; his wonderfully avuncular performance as General Taylor, the military brass who was sympathetic to an unorthodox disc jockey in Saigon, played by Robin Williams in Good Morning, Vietnam (both 1987); and his good 'ole boy villainy in the Rutger Hauer action flick Blind Fury (1988). His performances in these films proved that if nothing else, Willingham was a solid backup player who was adept at both comedy and drama.
His best remembered role will no doubt be his six year run as the genial barkeep C.D. Parker opposite Chuck Norris in the popular adventure series Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-99). However, film reviewers raved over his tortured performance as a foul-mouthed, bigoted boat salesman who suffers a traffic downfall in the little seen, but searing indie drama The Corndog Man (1998); the role earned Willingham a nomination for Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards and it showed that this ably supporting performer had enough charisma and talent to hold his own in a lead role.
In 2000, Willingham tried his hand at politics when he unsuccessfully tried to unseat Democrat Max Dandlin in a congressional campaign in east Texas. After the experience, Willingham returned to acting filming Blind Horizon with Val Kilmer in 2003. The movie is to be released later this year. Willingham is survived by his wife, Patti Ross Willingham; a son, John Ross McGlohen; two daughters, Stari Willingham and Meghan McGlohen; and a grandson.
by Michael T. Toole
Noble Willingham (1931-2004)
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States on Video November 14, 1990
Released in United States Spring March 16, 1990
Based on Japanese Zatoichi series "Blind Swordsman." First American film for Australian director Philip Noyce.
Began shooting May 2, 1988.
Completed shooting July 6, 1988.
Released in United States Spring March 16, 1990
Released in United States on Video November 14, 1990